The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and PM Edi Rama started their joint conference, following Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Tirana – marking the beginning of her trip to the Balkans.
These are some of the takeaways from PM Rama’s and Ursula von der Leyen’s joint press conference taking place in Tirana, before the EC president continues her trip to the rest of the Balkan countries.
‘Berlin Process vs. Open Balkan’
An important highlight during the press conference was when the EC president replied to the question asked by Euronews Albania correspondent, Eksiola Shehu, regarding her stance on the Open Balkan initiative.
Von der Leyen said that the Berlin Process has begun to work through the integration of a common market, however, this also allows for other regional initiatives to arise, which need to be ‘inclusive and respectful’.
“Allow me one more time, to say that by now, the Berlin Process has already started. You also have our commitment in order to push the Berlin Process forward. Can there be other initiatives? They have to be comprehensive and be able to respect all common objectives of integration into this common regional market. These initiatives need to be comprehensive, visionary and they absolutely need to respect all common objectives. It is only this way, that you will have my utmost support,” – said the EC president.
On his part, PM Edi Rama stated that ‘Open Balkan’ isn’t a process that is meant to compete with the Berlin Process, but rather it only proves how ‘someone can pull himself out of the dirt’.
According to Rama, ‘Open Balkan’ is a regional initiative that is designed to push forward the initiative that can’t keep being postponed by the Berlin Process, which “hasn’t been able, in 8 years, to take down the wall separating the Western Balkans from the EU”.
Moreover, Rama said that in comparison to the ‘Berlin Process’, in ‘Open Balkan’ everyone can choose to become a part of the initiative, without holding any other country hostage.
‘Albania’s future is in the EU’
“Allow me to make one thing clear, Albania’s future is in the European Union,” – said the president of the European Commission during the conference.
In addition, von der Leyen emphasized that Albania and North Macedonia deserve to be in the EU and there is no doubt about this.
“I have given my full support, so we can move forward with the negotiations of Albania’s and North Macedonia’s accession into the EU, as soon as possible,” – said the EC president, adding that we also need to look forward to the First Intergovernmental Conference.
Von der Leyen also added that ideally, the process of accession talks should start before the end of the year.
In addition, von der Leyen added that she is a strong supporter of the Berlin process.
“All 6 partners in the region should stay together and quickly move toward the common regional market, which is why I thank you for mentioning the importance of the Berlin Process. I am a supporter of this process. We are your partners and we will stay by your side,” – she said.
‘€230 million in funding for the pandemic’
PM Rama praised the EC president’s personal contribution, as well as the support of the EU in the reconstruction of Albania, after the tragic earthquake that struck the country back in 2019.
The donors’ conference, as well as the funds awarded to Albania, are according to PM Rama, a concrete reason to not lose our patience with the EU.
“Albania has received €230 million in financial aid, in order to help it recover from the pandemic, “– said the EC president.
The entire region benefited €3.3 billion in grants, and other funding, that went mainly for medical equipment, and relief packages, Von der Leyen said.
In her speech, the EC president also urged citizens to get vaccinated, while calling the recognition of Albania’s anti-COVID certificates by the EU, as positive news.
