Prime Minister Rama Says Albania’s Progress Would Not Be Possible Without the EU

Prime Minister Edi Rama was interviewed for the East Side Stories podcast by the Austrian outlet Die Presse.
The Albanian head of government discussed a range of topics, including EU accession negotiations, the fight against corruption, and relations with the United States and Russia.
When asked directly by journalist Thomas Seifert why Europe should want Albania in the EU, Rama replied that this would also contribute to Europe’s security and unity.
‘It is unique in history to have this geopolitical reality of the European Union: two borders, an outer border and an inner border. In this case, the inner border is the Western Balkans. For reasons linked to Europe’s security and the unity of the European coalition, it is clear to me that there is no alternative but to integrate the Western Balkan countries into the European Union,” he said.
According to the Albanian prime minister, the situation in Europe has changed. He said that, in the past, the EU lost focus on the future and the strategic importance of enlargement, a term he prefers to call “unification.” He also referred to the vetoes that Albania faced in the past, including one from France, regarding the opening of accession negotiations.
“Times are different now. Many things have changed. First and foremost, the EU’s level of security and confidence has changed. Currently, the European Union is not as self-sufficient as it was a few years ago. I hope it stays that way and doesn’t change again because things keep changing,” Rama said.
During his conversation with Die Presse, Rama reiterated his commitment to EU membership by 2030. He stressed that this is not simply Albania’s claim, but rather, it is strongly supported by the European Commission.
“Will we be like Austria in two years?” I’m telling you, no. Not at all. However, accession is tied to clear principles and criteria that must be fully met. The struggle over one issue or another never ends for anyone. We will continue afterwards. As things stand now, however, I don’t foresee any serious problems. Later, of course, we will have to do more,” he said.
The Prime Minister values the knowledge transfer process that comes with EU negotiations the most. According to him, the EU has no equal in this field.
“We’re not doing this ‘homework’ to please them. We do it to change Albania, to make it more European and democratic, and to base it more on its institutions than on its personalities, etc. The European Union is the only source of this kind of knowledge. You can’t find it anywhere else. Look at Afghanistan or Iraq, for example. They failed because they lacked an EU perspective, and no one else can teach a country how to build institutions. Americans don’t have the patience for that. Their philosophy is to solve problems with bombs and then lecture. However, the long process is something only the European Union knows how to manage. It’s something that only the EU has—you could call it the continent’s treasure. If you remove the EU from the equation and imagine where Albania would be today, it would be completely different. We would not be where we are today without the European Union and all its challenges. Working with the EU can be very stressful. In the end, though, it is beneficial, helpful, and healthy. It’s like taking bitter medicine—but it’s medicine. It’s not poison,” Rama said.
Questions were also raised about SPAK. Rama said he had anticipated this, but stressed that the country needs justice mechanisms that can prove their independence. Despite SPAK’s mistakes, Rama said its independence must not be compromised.
“This is not unexpected. It’s something we knew about, and I said so even before SPAK existed. We must build justice mechanisms that can prove their independence by investigating, probing, and prosecuting, no matter where the case comes from. It’s not as pleasant as going to the opera. It’s painful. It’s bitter. But it is the only way. Is it perfect? No. Do they make mistakes? Of course they do. At the end of the day, though, we must do everything we can to protect the independence we have given them,” he said.
Regarding the Vlora Airport project, Rama assured Seifert that it is not harmful and will open next year. He also commented on Jared Kushner’s project in Albania.
“I don’t know exactly how it happened, but it happened. They came, visited, loved the country, returned, and then started thinking about how to proceed,” he said.
He emphasized that this friendship is not political and will outlast Donald Trump’s presidency.
“I think this is a lasting investment and friendship, so it will survive after Trump.” It is not a political friendship. That is what I said then, and that is what I am saying now,” Rama explained.
Referring to the political clashes between Trump and Soros in the U.S., Rama said it is not his role to judge or be in the middle of it. He stressed that Albania is a home for everyone.
“Yes, you asked me about Kushner and Soros. Yes, they are both friends. They may not like each other, although I’m not sure. Still, it’s about them, not me. It’s not my job to judge or be part of it. This is Albania, and it’s a home for all our friends. So they’re both at home here,” he said.
Regarding international relations, Rama said that Albania has a clean record and has not been involved in any international conflicts. He added that the country is too small to choose sides.
“When it comes to us, I think we are too small to choose sides. We must speak with everyone and understand them as much as possible,” he said.
Rama noted that Albania’s relationship with Russia ended in 1960.
“Our relationship with Russia is unique because of our history. We broke with Russia in 1960 because we wanted to keep Stalin, but they wanted to get rid of him. That’s what happened. We kept Stalin—not the Soviet Union—for the next 30 years. This caused deep resentment toward Russians and Russia among our people. After 35 years of democratic life, we still haven’t visited Russia, nor have they visited us. Honestly, we don’t miss it,” he said.
However, he stressed that the European Union must speak with Russia directly and stop outsourcing its foreign policy, as Moscow is ultimately the EU’s neighbor.
“When it comes to the European Union, I think the EU should communicate with Russia. It should not continue to delegate its foreign policy to Washington because, at the end of the day, Russia is the EU’s neighbor, not America’s. You have to talk to your neighbors,” Rama said.