Andreas Schieder said the European Parliament will reaffirm Albania’s strong commitment to the European Union.
Speaking during a plenary session of the European Parliament, Schieder praised Albania’s progress in the accession process. He noted that the country opened all negotiation clusters within just 13 months. In addition, Albania recently achieved the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report, known as IBAR.
Furthermore, Schieder highlighted the strong public support for EU membership in Albania. According to him, around 90 percent of Albanians support the European project.
However, he stressed that EU enlargement is not only about meeting technical requirements. Instead, it must improve people’s lives through social dialogue, bold reforms, the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and media freedom.
Moreover, Schieder said Albania’s next major challenge is to close the negotiation chapters successfully.
He also described Albania as one of the leading EU candidate countries. As a result, he said the goal of completing accession negotiations by the end of 2026 now appears realistic.
In addition, Schieder praised Albania’s political commitment to implementing reforms. He emphasized that opening all negotiation clusters in such a short period clearly demonstrates political will.
Meanwhile, he underlined the importance of sustainable tourism. He noted that sustainable tourism creates jobs and supports economic growth. At the same time, he stressed that Albania must protect its environment and natural heritage.
Therefore, Schieder expressed confidence that European environmental standards will help preserve nature while supporting development.
Finally, he emphasized that opening and closing chapters is not enough on its own. Albania must also implement reforms that citizens can feel in their daily lives. These include reforms that strengthen the rule of law, promote social justice, and improve living standards.
Drawing on his visits across Albania, Schieder said he has seen optimism among citizens. He added that Albanians are working together to achieve their European goals.
Consequently, Schieder expressed confidence that Albania can become the European Union’s next enlargement success story.
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