The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama this Thursday, where she praised Albania’s progress on its path toward European Union membership.

She emphasized that the goal of Albania joining the EU by 2027 is not only ambitious but also realistic.

“I came here to express my full support for your ambitious goals, which I have been told are not just ambitious but also realistic. We are moving in the right direction, on the right path, on a good journey. We strongly wish for Albania to become part of the EU.

You deserve it, because with you inside the European Union, Europe will not only be bigger but also stronger.”

Kos also announced a €1 billion financial package for Albania’s reforms, pending parliamentary ratification.

“I hope that today we will see the ratification of two agreements in Parliament, enabling us to provide Albania with €1 billion—partly in loans and partly in grants—so that the necessary reforms can be implemented and the country can prepare for EU membership.”