Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama reaffirmed his government’s goal for EU accession by 2030, stating that there is “no alternative” to European integration. Speaking alongside EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, Rama said Albania is determined to complete accession negotiations by 2027.
“Our ambition is for Albanians to travel with an EU passport by the end of this decade,” Rama said. “We have spent centuries being ‘others’—it’s time to enter through the same gates as Europeans.”
Rama also called for the swift disbursement of €1 billion in EU funds earmarked for Albania under the EU’s new growth plan. “Parliament is reviewing financial agreements today. We want our money,” he said.
Kos said Albania’s EU path is “secure and real,” calling its 2027 timeline for completing talks “realistic.” She praised Albania’s judicial reforms and regional diplomacy, calling the country a “stability island” and a “champion of regional cooperation.”
The €1 billion package, a mix of grants and loans, is expected to support reforms critical to Albania’s accession bid. Kos urged continued focus on the rule of law and governance improvements, stressing that Albania’s membership would not only expand the EU but also strengthen it.
