Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized the significant opportunities EU membership would provide to Albanian citizens, spanning personal, professional, economic, and social aspects.
In a direct communication with citizens via social media, Rama stated that EU membership would grant Albanians freedom of movement for work and study within the EU, as well as the right to vote and stand for election in certain EU political institutions.
At the local level, Rama said Albanians could vote and run in local elections in EU countries, even without citizenship, provided they have residency.
“This is not just a campaign, but a meeting with history. It is our historic opportunity, our fortune that the stars of Albania have aligned with those of the European Union, to conclude an endless story towards full integration with the EU, to finally be European in laws and customs,” Rama stressed.
The EU passport, he continued, would resolve a centuries-old issue. “It gives Albanians the status of dignity. That status translates into many things. With that passport, you are a free and equal citizen of a territory larger than Albania, in all respects, from the right to work, health insurance, social security, pension recognition, and more. That passport will allow Albanians to be elected to municipal councils in Greece, Italy, etc., as Albanians, to be elected mayors. They can be elected to the European Parliament, and they can use that passport for everything except one thing: if they want to become members of parliament in those countries, they must be citizens,” Rama explained.
Rama also addressed opposition criticism of his campaign rhetoric, stating his language is a “sword” of sarcasm and metaphor, but that he has never made criminal accusations against political opponents.
“Those who complain about my language are bothered that I have a ‘sword’ language, the language I learned from my teachers, Fan Noli and Faik Konica, the great ‘swordsmen’ of the Albanian language. For over 20 years, I have not called anyone a thief, a mobster, or a murderer, because those are criminal accusations. I am ready to bet with anyone that none of my speeches would be unacceptable in the archives of the British, French, or Italian parliaments,” Rama said.
