Socialist MP Etjen Xhafaj blamed external circumstances for the EU integration stalemate, adding that Albania has fulfilled all technical and political criteria.

“It is no longer a matter of reforms or problems that have to be addressed by the Albanian government, but issues related to European decision making. This is not only happening for Albania, we’ve seen this in other countries too, with North Macedonia recently going to the polls. There’s some skepticism about waiting to see for an opportunity on holding the first Intergovernmental Conference”, said Xhafaj.

Ina Zhupa, an MP from the Democratic Party believes that Albania “is becoming more estranged by the day” from European standards, starting from its battle against corruption to environmental issues.

“It is not about member states, it’s not like they hate Albania and so they have this negative approach, actually they have always seen the country positively. But when they see what is happening in Albania and the Commission’s report, they understand all problems”, declared Zhupa.