{"id":32948,"date":"2022-03-15T13:06:13","date_gmt":"2022-03-15T12:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/euronews.al\/en\/?p=32948"},"modified":"2022-03-15T13:15:40","modified_gmt":"2022-03-15T12:15:40","slug":"borrell-eu-is-concerned-about-russias-interference-in-the-balkans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/euronews.al\/en\/borrell-eu-is-concerned-about-russias-interference-in-the-balkans\/","title":{"rendered":"Borrell: EU is concerned about Russia\u2019s interference in the Balkans"},"content":{"rendered":"

PM Edi Rama met with EU\u2019s High Special Envoy for Security and Foreign Policies, Josep Borrell.<\/p>\n

During today\u2019s meeting, PM Rama asked Borrell to have the EU include the Western Balkans in the emergency response plan that is being set up in preparation for the impacts of the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the EU is putting together a response plan for the impacts of the war in Ukraine, then they shouldn\u2019t leave the Western Balkans out as they did with vaccines during the pandemic,\u201d \u2013 said Rama.<\/p>\n

In addition, Rama expressed his reservations in regards to the delays with Albania\u2019s integration process, referring also to the first Intergovernmental Conference between Albania-EU, which would officially mark the opening of accession negotiations for our country.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, Borrell said that the EU is currently facing a critical situation while adding that the fourth set of measures against Russia is underway, which includes sanctions against an additional 800 Russian citizens.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is meant to be a major blow to Putin\u2019s economic basis \u2013 where he is acquiring the means for his invasion. This aggression is a grave violation of Ukraine\u2019s national sovereignty but of Europe\u2019s security and stability as well,\u201d \u2013 said Borrell.<\/p>\n

According to Borrell, the EU is \u201cconcerned about Russia\u2019s possible influence and interference in the Western Balkans\u201d, adding that \u201cRussian disinformation and propaganda are on the rise\u201d.<\/p>\n

EU\u2019s Special Envoy said that Albania has been the most reliable ally as its policies are in full compliance with those of the EU. Borrell also commended Tirana\u2019s role in the UN, referring to the resolution against Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Borrell said that Albania has completed all preconditions required to open its negotiations and added that he hopes that the process will have an official kick-start during the French presidency of the EU.<\/p>\n

Borrell also called for more efforts from Brussels so that the Western Balkans can get integrated sooner.<\/p>\n

EU\u2019s representative took some time to speak on the current price hikes.<\/p>\n

He said that the war in Ukraine has contributed to massive economic turmoil on a global level, which has also had an effect on our country.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a consequence of our dependency, of the entire world economy\u2019s dependency, which Russia has weaponized and is using against us,\u201d \u2013 said Borrell, after bringing up the example of the rise in energy prices in Spain and the rise of oil prices in Brussels.<\/p>\n

\u201cOil has gone up by more than 2 euros a liter \u2013 a 20% rise. The same thing is happening with food products. This will be a phenomenon that will gravely impact poorer countries that are dependent on Russia for their wheat imports,\u201d \u2013 he added.<\/p>\n

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