TIRANA, February 2 – French Ambassador to Albania, Catherine Suard, attended the “A Few More Steps Toward the EU” Dialogue Forum. She said that France supports Albania’s European integration.

Ambassador Suard emphasized that no one can doubt Albania’s progress toward EU membership. She highlighted reforms in justice, digitalization of services, institutional strengthening, economic modernization, citizen and environmental protection, stability, security, and alignment with foreign policy.

She added that Albania has achieved significant progress in European convergence. As a result, EU member states have decided to open all negotiation chapters. She recalled that President Emmanuel Macron visited Albania twice recently to support bilateral relations, giving them a continuous rhythm aligned with Albania’s EU path.

Suard explained that Albania does not only move toward Europe; it accelerates its progress. She said that the reforms represent strategic steps that transform Albania’s structure, making it closer, more compatible, and better integrated with Europe.

She stated that France supports this gradual integration and its transformative impact. To achieve effective results, she added, Albania must implement each stage decisively. Suard also referenced a 2024 intergovernmental agreement whose implementation must continue to advance shared interests.

Regarding the remaining steps, Suard noted that the final kilometers are the most challenging and exciting. She said EU accession is now measured by precise indicators. According to her, these checkpoints are not delays; they form the foundation for Albania’s future integration.

She concluded that this irreversibility ensures Albania remains a partner that France and Europe can trust.

/a.p./