European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Koss described Albania as the “brightest example of the transformative impact of European enlargement“, Albanian publications VoxNews and ATA report. She made her statement during a press conference after the seventh Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, at which Tirana officially opened the last cluster of accession negotiations, News.bg reports.
Koss emphasized the serious progress achieved by both the institutions and the civil society and the population, which “consistently supports and insists on European reforms“.
According to VoxNews, the Commissioner stated: “Albania is the best example of the transformative power of EU enlargement. The reforms you are implementing are changing the political system, the economy and society, bringing them closer to European standards.“
She added that the country serves as an inspiration for other countries in the region: “Your commitment is an example for the Western Balkans. Many citizens in neighboring countries would like to see the same determination and the same scale of change in their own societies.“
Kos stressed that while the opening of all clusters is a significant achievement, the real work begins now: “This is an exceptional success, but the closing of the clusters is the real goal. That is why it is important to accelerate reforms - especially in the areas of justice, the independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption.“
As noted by the Albanian state television RTSH, the Commissioner stressed that: “Europe is changing and you are part of this change. Your progress is the result of the work of the institutions, but also of the aspiration of Albanian citizens to be part of the European community.“
The Intergovernmental Conference was defined as a key moment for Albania's European perspective, and Albanian media noted that the country has never been closer to entering the final phase of EU membership negotiations.