Oct 15, 2024 – European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Várhelyi has commended Albania for its significant progress toward EU membership as the country opens the first cluster of accession negotiations. Speaking at a press conference alongside Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Várhelyi emphasized that today marks a major milestone in Albania’s European integration journey.
“The road is now open for the substantive negotiations that will define the terms of Albania’s membership,” Várhelyi said. “This is not just a technical step – it’s a sign that Albania’s path toward full EU membership is moving forward.”
The commissioner praised Albania’s commitment to reform, highlighting efforts to tackle organized crime, corruption, and judicial challenges. Várhelyi acknowledged that these issues, along with Albania’s engagement with the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan, have helped build trust with EU member states.
Várhelyi recalled his first encounter with Prime Minister Rama in 2019, after a devastating earthquake struck Albania. He said that the event, while tragic, demonstrated the resilience of the Albanian government and its determination to pursue EU integration.
The commissioner also lauded the efforts of the Hungarian Presidency in placing enlargement at the heart of EU priorities, a move he said was vital for ensuring the success of the enlargement process. He reiterated that for the EU to grow stronger, enlargement must remain a top priority.
Reflecting on the progress made since 2019, Várhelyi said that Albania has moved far from the setbacks experienced in the past when the country faced delays in starting accession negotiations. Today, he said, Albania is “no longer shy” about making the necessary reforms and building trust, an effort that has already brought tangible results.
He also outlined the significant economic benefits that the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan has brought to the region, with 60% of its projects already implemented. This plan, Várhelyi said, has been key in advancing Albania’s path toward membership, with the potential for even greater investments in infrastructure, energy, and environmental projects.
Várhelyi concluded by encouraging Albania to continue pushing forward with reforms, saying that the growth plan will further accelerate the country’s journey to EU membership. He expressed confidence that Albania could become a full member by the end of the next European Commission’s mandate.
Prime Minister Rama, standing beside Várhelyi, welcomed the EU’s support and committed to continuing Albania’s reform efforts. “This is a shared success. Albania will keep moving forward with all the reforms necessary for our integration into the European Union,” he said.
