PM Edi Rama met with EU’s High Special Envoy for Security and Foreign Policies, Josep Borrell.
During today’s meeting, PM Rama asked Borrell to have the EU include the Western Balkans in the emergency response plan that is being set up in preparation for the impacts of the war in Ukraine.
“If the EU is putting together a response plan for the impacts of the war in Ukraine, then they shouldn’t leave the Western Balkans out as they did with vaccines during the pandemic,” – said Rama.
In addition, Rama expressed his reservations in regards to the delays with Albania’s integration process, referring also to the first Intergovernmental Conference between Albania-EU, which would officially mark the opening of accession negotiations for our country.
On the other hand, Borrell said that the EU is currently facing a critical situation while adding that the fourth set of measures against Russia is underway, which includes sanctions against an additional 800 Russian citizens.
“This is meant to be a major blow to Putin’s economic basis – where he is acquiring the means for his invasion. This aggression is a grave violation of Ukraine’s national sovereignty but of Europe’s security and stability as well,” – said Borrell.
According to Borrell, the EU is “concerned about Russia’s possible influence and interference in the Western Balkans”, adding that “Russian disinformation and propaganda are on the rise”.
EU’s Special Envoy said that Albania has been the most reliable ally as its policies are in full compliance with those of the EU. Borrell also commended Tirana’s role in the UN, referring to the resolution against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Borrell said that Albania has completed all preconditions required to open its negotiations and added that he hopes that the process will have an official kick-start during the French presidency of the EU.
Borrell also called for more efforts from Brussels so that the Western Balkans can get integrated sooner.
EU’s representative took some time to speak on the current price hikes.
He said that the war in Ukraine has contributed to massive economic turmoil on a global level, which has also had an effect on our country.
“It is a consequence of our dependency, of the entire world economy’s dependency, which Russia has weaponized and is using against us,” – said Borrell, after bringing up the example of the rise in energy prices in Spain and the rise of oil prices in Brussels.
“Oil has gone up by more than 2 euros a liter – a 20% rise. The same thing is happening with food products. This will be a phenomenon that will gravely impact poorer countries that are dependent on Russia for their wheat imports,” – he added.
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