TIRANA, June 11 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha joined a discussion in Bulgaria at the invitation of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). The event focused on the European Union enlargement process and the future of the Western Balkans within the bloc.
Participants examined the growing importance of EU enlargement in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. The discussion also addressed the role of the Western Balkans in Europe’s long-term stability and development.
Hoxha presented Albania’s perspective on the opportunities and responsibilities linked to the current phase of the enlargement process. He also outlined the progress the country has achieved on its path toward European Union membership.
According to the minister, EU enlargement has evolved beyond a policy of transformation. In today’s strategic context, he described it as an investment in the European Union’s security, stability, competitiveness and long-term resilience.
Recent developments have reinforced the importance of integrating the Western Balkans into the European Union, Hoxha said. He argued that a stronger and more united Europe requires the region’s full integration into the bloc.
Meanwhile, the minister described Albania’s accession process as more than a foreign policy objective. He said the goal enjoys broad support across the political spectrum and throughout Albanian society.
Driven by an ambitious reform agenda, Albania continues to advance institutional transformation and European integration, he added. Hoxha also stressed that a credible merit-based enlargement process serves the interests of both candidate countries and the European Union.
Looking ahead, Albania aims to maintain the current pace of reforms and negotiations. The country targets the completion of accession talks by 2027 and full European Union membership by 2030.
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