TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said any political instability could halt Albania’s European Union accession process and warned that restarting it could take considerable time.
Speaking during a meeting with pensioners, Rama said Albania has reached the final stage of its path toward EU membership. He stressed that the country must continue meeting its obligations and reporting progress to Brussels.
Referring to protests against the proposed investment in Zvërnec, the prime minister said authorities should distinguish between citizens expressing legitimate concerns and agendas that, in his view, work against the country’s interests. At the same time, he said every citizen has the right to protest.
Rama argued that some forces oppose the region’s full integration into the European Union. He also said others underestimate the consequences that any interruption to the accession process could bring.
Turning to social policy, the prime minister said pensioners will receive additional support financed by higher state revenues generated by increased oil prices following the conflict in Iran. He noted that distribution of the summer bonus began on Tuesday.
In addition, Rama said the government has doubled assistance for people with disabilities, including children with special needs. He added that the state will also cover social insurance contributions for caregivers of people with disabilities.
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