Anna Lührmann, German Minister of State for Europe and Climate, gave an exclusive interview with DW speaking about the integration of the Western Balkans into EU. She stated that Albania and North Macedonia have made huge progress especially in the field of justice.

“We all know that EU membership requires the fulfillment of many conditions. Both Albania and North Macedonia have made great progress, especially in the area of ​​justice reform. In Albania, it is really important to move forward with the vetting process, which requires the help of the opposition. We talked about this issue, but in general, I congratulated Albania for the determination with which it has implemented reforms in recent years. 

I believe that the most important dynamics for cooperation in the region comes from the perspective of the EU. This means that we now have to move forward in order to really start membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. It is important to create perspectives for young people in the Western Balkan countries, which also make it easy for mobility within the region to be educated and professionally educated. And these are certainly areas where we need to keep working,” she said.

As for the Open Balkans Anna Lührmann stated that there is a great desire to cooperate in the region.

“At the same time, initiatives that want to strengthen regional cooperation must be truly comprehensive, which means that countries like Kosovo must be included. And that’s essential to us. And the instruments of the Berlin process are very appropriate for that. An agreement on a common regional market was reached in Sofia. And this agreement must now finally be implemented,” German Minister added.

/Klara Ruci/