Hoxha: Western Balkans EU Membership Is a Geostrategic Necessity

Ferit Hoxha attended the High-Level Meeting of the “Friends of the Western Balkans” Group in Bratislava.

He said the meeting confirmed a shared understanding that EU integration of the Western Balkans is no longer a long-term aspiration but a geostrategic necessity.

He stressed that a stronger, safer, and more united Europe depends on the integration of the region into the European Union.

For Albania, Hoxha said EU membership within this decade is not just a political goal but a national mission and a concrete working deadline.

He reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to continuing reforms, strengthening democratic institutions, and fully aligning with the EU’s foreign and security policy.

In addition, he said Albania is actively contributing to regional stability and European security.

Hoxha stated that Albania is already acting like a future EU member by advancing reforms and meeting obligations.

He said discussions focused on gradual integration, regional cooperation, and security as key priorities in the enlargement process.

However, he warned that enlargement must remain credible, merit-based, predictable, and focused on concrete results for citizens.

He emphasized that countries progressing faster should move faster, but no country in the region should feel left behind.

Furthermore, he thanked EU partners for keeping enlargement high on the agenda and encouraged stronger strategic communication.

Hoxha concluded that completing European unification is not only in the interest of the Western Balkans but also in the strategic interest of the EU itself.

Finally, he said Albania is moving forward with clarity, purpose, and determination toward EU membership.

/a.c/

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