Albanian President Ilir Meta is holding a press conference at the premises of the Presidential Office over the European Parliament’s report on Albania, adopted a few days ago.

“The resolution has identified all the problems that have made the country’s European integration and opening accession negotiations impossible”, Meta said.

“In principle, the vote on this resolution shows the European Parliament’s approach to endorse developmental policies in light of the war in Ukraine, nevertheless it has identified all of Albania’s critical problems”, he added.

Meta said that “despite the scandalous stagnation”, he supports opening accession talks with the EU because “the people deserve it”.

Meta highlighted problems with democracy, media and speech freedoms, issues with political pluralism and paralysis of the rule of law, implementation of the vetting and justice reform, and extraordinary corruption.

“The fact that the resolution mentions Albania’s drop by 26 spots in 5 years in the corruption index is a significant indication”, said Meta.

Meta called on the government, the opposition, and civil society to focus on the content of this resolution.