Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, stated that his country deserves a place at the European Union table, emphasizing the progress of reforms and the broad support of citizens. He acknowledged that crime and corruption remain serious challenges but added that these issues are not unique to Albania: “Brussels also has crime.”

In an interview with Euronews, Rama said that Albania should become an EU member as soon as possible, after a decade of deep reforms and unwavering commitment to European integration. He reminded that the country has already entered the final phase of negotiations and sees 2030 as an achievable date for membership.

Albania has been a candidate country for more than ten years, but the new geopolitical dynamics caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have increased the EU’s willingness to enlarge. As a result, Albania is now considered one of the most favored countries in the process.

Rama, in office since 2013 and confirmed for a fourth term last year, said the country has undergone a profound transformation and remains strongly committed to European values. He described the EU as a “good empire” that guarantees freedom and the rule of law.

The European Commission has assessed the progress made, noting that Albania could be ready to join by the end of the decade if the pace of reforms is maintained. With a population of 2.3 million—roughly the size of the city of Prague—the country presents few challenges for the EU’s absorption capacity, demographically or economically.

However, the Commission stressed in last month’s enlargement report that Albania needs to strengthen the fight against organized crime, improve systems for preventing money laundering, and intensify measures against human trafficking in order to align with EU standards.

In the Euronews interview, Rama acknowledged these remain real challenges:

“Do we have problems with organized crime? Yes, but who doesn’t? Look at this city (Brussels). This is another example. But there are great things as well.”

He added that Albania’s international perception has changed significantly:

“Once they saw us as a miserable hole in the middle of Europe, now they see us as part of the European mosaic.”

Close Relations With Italy

During his stay in Brussels for a European Commission forum on enlargement, Rama pointed out the support of European counterparts for Albania’s membership process, as well as his close relationship with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

To become part of the EU, a country must complete technical negotiations and receive unanimous political approval from all member states.

In 2023, Albania and Italy signed an agreement to establish migration centers on Albanian territory, financed and managed by Italian authorities. This pact has drawn international attention and criticism, including concerns about shifting European borders into a third country and potential violations of asylum law principles.

Rama defended the agreement, calling it an act of solidarity toward Italy during a moment of intense migratory pressure. He denied that it undermines Albanian sovereignty:

“Italy asked us. And when Italy asks, we always say yes. Italians are Albanians dressed in Versace.”

The Prime Minister added that the “Albanian model” will not be extended to other countries, even though some EU states have shown interest in it amid Europe’s tougher stance on migration.