Albania must integrate into the European Union, strengthen its cooperation with the region, and manage the crisis through smart programs.

These were some of the conclusions from the fourth Tirana Economic Forum, an event that brought together officials, economic experts, and entrepreneurs from various countries.

“Albania’s future in the EU, but time does not wait”. This was the message voiced in unison by French, Italian and Greek diplomats at the event.

“We believe the Western Balkans are and must be, a part of Europe”, said the Greek Ambassador to Tirana Sophia Philippidou.

“Life cannot be the same as it was before February 24. It’s a different story now. We must move forward and bring into the EU umbrella the Western Balkans”, said Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Bucci.

In order to overcome the great challenges imposed by time, apart from EU integration, today it is necessary to compile smart programs that make the lives of citizens easier. Also, crises must be seen as opportunities for new solutions.

“The current crisis is not only a price crisis but also a supply crisis and the work we have done with the region in the past 20 years has helped us overcome the challenges that we’re also facing now”, said the Albanian Minister of Finance and Economy Delina Ibrahimaj.

The fourth Tirana Economic Forum was divided into several panels bringing together officials from different countries, such as cabinet ministers, diplomats, experts on the economy, and representatives from business associations.