Prime Minister Edi Rama has called on the European Union not to leave the Western Balkans behind again. He said failure to integrate the region would also be a major failure for Europe.

Rama spoke at the Inter-parliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership”. He said Albania remains strongly committed to the European Union and wants to become part of it. He also said the country has made major progress over the past decade and entered a new era.

Meanwhile, Rama said citizens now have higher expectations for Albania’s future. He described this change as a “revolution of rising expectations”. He said people increasingly believe that the country can move forward and change. He also pointed to inaccurate news and conspiracy theories as sources of growing social pressure.

Rama called for a strong signal to the world and the EU on the future of the Western Balkans. He said he hoped all sides could find a way forward despite differences or hesitation. He stressed that Albania wants Europe and wants to be part of it.

/a.p./