Rama demands negotiations for Macedonia and Albania

Just before the important meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, in an interview with Deutsche Welle, urged the countries of the Western Balkans to become part of the European family. According to Rama, Albania and Macedonia have successfully completed their homework, and the clear recommendations received should be sufficient proof for the two countries to finally get a date for starting the negotiations for full membership in the European Union.

We have received a clear, unconditional and clear recommendation, which means that we have successfully completed the given tasks. Now the decision will be political and there is always a battle here because it has different interests and opinions. I hope that Albania will not become a hostage to any internal politics in order for some of the agendas to be promoted, and have nothing to do with what we have accomplished. Albania has a lot of friends in this process and I firmly believe that German Chancellor Merkel, European Champion for Transformation of the Region, through the Berlin Process will help us and move Macedonia forward in the European integration processes at this very important moment for the entire region,” said Rama.

The visit of the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, to official Berlin was also commented by the German media. With the title “Let’s make Albania successful again”, the German newspaper “Welt” commented today’s meeting as crucial to the European future of Albania. However, as Welt states, for Albania to become a member of the European Union, although the economy is on the rise and the judicial reforms demanded by the European Commission are being implemented, the country still needs to deal with drug production, as it is assessed by Interpol as one of the largest producers of cannabis and heroin in Europe.

The possible membership of Albania and Macedonia was also commented by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. According to his assessments, if Macedonia and Albania really want membership in the European Union, then they will have to make sure that there is rule of law in their countries, and strengthen the fight against organized crime and corruption. Tusk announces that all 28 EU member states should unanimously decide which country will become a new member of the European family.

How successfully has Macedonia completed its homework? Prime Minister Zoran Zaev announces an offensive internal policy to finally stabilize the parliamentary majority, as well as the government’s cabinet. Zaev is confident that the new composition of the cabinet will be completed after May 1.
“Negotiations are running successfully and I hope this weekend they will end. After May 1, we will announce the new ministers, followed by directors’ changes,” Zaev said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bujar Osmani, during his address in Pristina before the heads of the member countries of the South-East European Cooperation Process, assessed that Macedonia was prepared for new radical reforms.
“There is an opportunity before us, which I am confident that we will know how to use it. The motivation, with which we have entered into this process, is strong, and as a country we are ready to move forward quickly and make radical reforms where it is necessary,” Osmani said.