The Ambassador of the European Union to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, arrived at the premises of the Parliament of Albania to deliver the progress report to Speaker of the Assembly, Elisa Spiropali. Upon his arrival outside the premises, the ambassador encountered the opposition MPs, who had blocked the entrance to the Assembly. However, opposition MPs opened the way and allowed the EU ambassador to pass peacefully.

Gonzato’s visit to parliament came minutes after he held a joint conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama regarding the report’s findings. The ambassador emphasized that the European Commission supports the ambitious objective of the Albanian government to conclude negotiations for EU membership in 2027.

Gonzato underlined that the achievement of this objective depends on the speed of reforms for the rule of law, the fight against crime and corruption, as well as the freedom of the media and the right to property in Albania.

“The commission sees an opportunity to accelerate Albania’s EU membership in the coming years. As President Von Der Leyen pointed out during the last visit, if the pace of reforms is accelerated, Albania can open all group-chapters by the end of 2025.

The communiqué published yesterday says that the Commission supports the opening of the 6th group-chapter for foreign relations. The Commission declares that it is ready to support the ambitious objective of the Albanian government to close the membership negotiations by the end of 2027. These ambitious deadlines can become a reality if the Albanian authorities intensify the pace of EU-oriented reforms, for the rule of law, consolidating the balance of the rule of law, the fight against crime and corruption, and the promotion and promotion of fundamental rights, including media freedom, property rights and minorities,” said Gonzato.