Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha stated that Albania is experiencing a high level of freedom of expression and that the protests taking place in the country do not currently constitute a concern for European Union member states.
Asked by journalist Flora McCarthy from Dublin whether Ireland, which will assume the rotating EU Presidency next month, had expressed concerns about the protests in Albania, Hoxha said that the country is being viewed positively in terms of freedom of expression.
“Albania is making headlines because of this remarkable freedom that we are witnessing for the first time in our country. Citizens are clearly expressing their views. I do not believe this is currently a concern for member states, as they have confidence in the assessments of the European Commission,” Hoxha said, adding that continuous communication with international partners would take place if necessary.
Speaking about his visit to Ireland, the minister said that he had also discussed the EU enlargement process, emphasizing support for enlargement during the Irish Presidency.
Hoxha also addressed Albania’s European integration process, stressing that the country supports the concept of gradual integration, but not as a substitute for full European Union membership.
“Candidate countries are implementing reforms and expect the EU to honor its commitments. Gradual integration should mean access before membership, not a waiting room or an alternative to full membership,” he said.
According to the minister, Albania has set an ambitious but realistic goal of closing all EU negotiation chapters within the next year, highlighting that the progress achieved so far has been regarded as both rapid and successful in the integration process.
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