Italian President Sergio Mattarella said the European Union would remain incomplete without Albania and other candidate countries. He reaffirmed Italy’s support for the European integration of the Western Balkans.

“Italy will always consider the European Union incomplete and diminished until Albania and the other candidate countries become part of it, which I hope will happen as soon as possible,” Mattarella said. He made the remarks during a meeting on Monday at the Quirinal Palace with Albanian President Bajram Begaj and a delegation of mayors from Italian municipalities with Arbëreshë communities.

Mattarella said European integration was directly linked to the future of the Western Balkan peoples. He described the process as a lasting project of peace, freedom and progress. The Italian president also praised Arbëreshë communities as an example of friendship and successful integration. Preserving their roots, culture and language, he said, enriches another society rather than hindering integration.

He stressed that protecting pluralism was inseparable from Europe’s fundamental principles and one of democracy’s pillars. Mattarella also highlighted the historic ties between Albania and Italy and Rome’s support for Albania’s European Union membership.

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