Albania has entered the final stage of its EU accession negotiations and can close the remaining chapters within the set deadlines, European Parliament rapporteur for Albania Andreas Schieder said.

Schieder spoke today at the Interparliamentary Conference “The Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Accession” in Tirana. Representatives of Albanian institutions, the European Parliament and other European parliaments attended the conference.

“The main reason why we are involved in the enlargement process is that I still believe EU enlargement is not only a project for the future. It is something the whole continent deserves. It is also what we all dreamed of in 1989,” Schieder said.

He noted that the enlargement process has taken longer than initially expected. However, he said this makes completing the process even more important.

Turning to Albania, Schieder highlighted the country’s strong public support for EU membership as an opportunity to maintain the pace of reforms.

“Here in Albania, 95% of the population supports the EU. This gives the country a unique opportunity to use this momentum,” he said.

Schieder stressed that Albania has reached an important stage in the negotiations. He noted that the process involves more than opening chapters. The country must also meet European standards and implement the required reforms.

“Albania has been quite active. As I have said, it is not only about opening chapters. The country must close them. Then comes implementation, which affects these chapters and, more importantly, ensures that the reforms support society,” Schieder said.

He identified the rule of law, economic and environmental reforms, the implementation of European standards, social and health impacts, and foreign policy as key areas that require continued work.

Schieder also praised Albania’s justice reform, particularly the vetting process and the restructuring of the judicial system.

“We need to look at all the issues, including the rule of law. Ten years ago, Albania launched a very important and difficult process of vetting and reforming the legal system,” he said.

According to Schieder, Albania still has several chapters to close. However, he stressed that the country has time to continue the process in line with its established objectives.

He also said Albania could aim to join the EU before the end of the decade.

“We can also consider that Albania deserves to become a new EU member before the end of this decade. This is certainly a challenge, but we have seen Albania, its authorities and its Parliament take up this challenge very strongly,” Schieder said.

Finally, Schieder stressed that EU enlargement involves more than Brussels and Tirana. He said the process concerns all EU member states and their societies.

“This is not simply a project for Brussels or Tirana. It is a project that will bring people together, including all 27 EU capitals and all our societies,” he said.

In this context, Schieder described the conference as an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss issues shaping the future of the EU enlargement process.

/a.c/