Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived today at the European Convention Center for the second Intergovernmental Conference, Albania – EU., While he spoke to the media:

“It’s the best way to start the day, and despite the gray weather in Luxembourg, we feel really enthusiastic and quite encouraged to finally start the hardest part of the job. This means unlocking the basics chapter group with five more chapters, plus three criteria, which will make us move forward. We will conclude this entire negotiation process within our rather ambitious deadline and finally make Albania sit as an equal around the table of the member states of the European Union.

– There has been a paradigm shift in the EU as far as enlargement is concerned. It’s like a one-way ticket. What do you think about this, do you think so?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: “We are very, very committed to the EU since the first day we fled the hell out of the dictatorship, while being the most isolated country in Europe, or the ‘North Korea’ of Europe. So, no matter what the situation is here or different levels of attention or skepticism towards enlargement, we have never given up because for us, the EU and Europe are the only place we want to be, the only place we want to leave to future generations with the security that we leave in the only space where freedoms, rights, rules of law, and security can be guaranteed. So yes, this moment is special, and I have to say thanks to Vladimir Putin, who, because of the cruel war of aggression, woke up even the most skeptical and made them see the reality that the Western Balkans is necessary for a stronger EU, as much as the EU constellation is necessary for the Western Balkans. So, we are both on the same wavelength. We will do our best and run fast to make sure that this incredible window of opportunity does not close without us inside the European Union.”

-I heard, however, that there is some talk about anti-corruption measures.

Prime Minister Edi Rama: “Yes, there is nothing special. Everything is very clear. To become a member state, you have to raise not only the spirits but also all the forces to work together in the reality of the country to guarantee a country that works well, serves its citizens, and sanctions in daily life, what is written in the Constitution and all commitments. So, this is our homework, it’s a mountain to climb, but right now we’re on our way up with pretty clear ideas, with pretty strong will, and there’s no doubt that we’re going to achieve what needs to be achieved, which means Albania will be in the EU within 2030.”

-Do you think that you will be able to shorten the accession procedure of Albania in time to the EU?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: “We will prepare Albania for the European Union by 2030.”