Brussels, Communication by Prime Minister Rama ahead of the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference

Prime Minister Rama is in Brussels today to take part in the 8th Albania-European Union Intergovernmental Conference, at the head of a delegation composed of ministers from the government cabinet.

Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Rama stated to the media present:

Prime Minister, what is the importance of this day for Albania and the Albanian people?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: It's a very, very important moment in our path towards membership, and it's a moment we have worked very hard for, for a long time. It's a moment when half of the work, if I must say, of the openings will be closed, and the other half, the closing phase, will be opened.

Can I ask you, just a few hours ago, it was reported that what has been considered for prospective member states is that there will be at least an initial period where they will not be able to have a veto on foreign policy matters or any other subject that requires unanimity within the Council. What do you think of that?

Prime Minister Edi Rama:

I've championed a different approach for some years now, because I have learned the hard way that the political capacity to have continuation of the enlargement as it happened before is not there in important capitals. At the same time, it is very clear that, if we craft it right, it is the right thing to do.

So I support it. Of course, it needs to be discussed, it needs to be crafted right, because it is not about, let's say, light membership. It is about, first, a real political union, and then a path towards full membership with full rights in parallel with the needed reform of the European Union itself.

For how long would you be OK, if you say Albania would be ok to at least as an interim measure, to have joined the EU without having veto rights? How long would you be ok for Albania?

Prime Minister Edi Rama:

Albania, as such, is a country that has always been 100% aligned with EU foreign policy, so we never sensed any pleasure in imagining having a veto and being the most pro-EU and the most pro-Euro-Atlantic country in Europe. And when I say the most pro-EU, I'm talking about the EU barometer, not about what we think of ourselves.

We are EU fanatics, and EU fanatics cannot veto EU decisions.

Thank you, Prime Minister.