Prime Minister Edi Rama has proposed to the leaders of the countries of the European Union that one of the countries that has opened negotiations with the European bloc, have observer status in relation to Europe.

Speaking at the Berlin Process summit being held in Tirana, Rama declared that all issues connecting the Western Balkans with the European Union, from the process of opening negotiations to that of membership, would be addressed.

Although the prime minister did not provide details on the proposal, he emphasized that this initiative would increase political unity among the EU countries and, on the other hand, would improve the governance of the Western Balkan countries.

“Would it be more pragmatic to reshape the journey from membership negotiations to the membership and not rush to set membership deadlines that may not be agreed upon? 

Would it be fairer to deal with the inertia of this division by introducing observer status for countries that are in transit from the opening of negotiations to membership. This intermediate status would confer certain privileges without the right to vote, of course.

It would provide benefits to all parties by increasing political unity between democratic Europe and the growth of democratic governance in the Western Balkans. We could better share the challenging burden that lies before us”, said Rama.

This intermediate status, according to him, “would give some privileges of course without the right to vote”.

“It could provide significant benefits to all parties, increasing political unity among democratic Europe and also the growth of democratic governance in the Western Balkans. If we could remove this idea of a distant relationship and function as partners we would be able to understand common challenges and better share the burdens of the undoubtedly challenging times that lie ahead. This is a promising start towards this path that will explore in a brave and courageous way this closure of this division between the continent”, said Rama.

/k.s/