Albania's integration, EU ambassador: Accelerate reforms in the rule of law, fight against corruption

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, in an interview with Monitor, outlined the challenges that need to be addressed and the EU's support to accelerate Albania's integration.

For Monitor, Gonzato emphasized the importance of reforms in the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and approximation with European standards as key factors for advancing negotiations.

Gonzato noted that the Albanian government must intensify reforms starting from the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime, as well as fundamental rights.

"The prospect of EU membership is real and the EU Delegation in Tirana is fully mobilized to support Albania on this journey. However, enlargement remains a merit-based process."

This means that Albania will need to further intensify the pace of EU-oriented reforms, starting with the rule of law, the effective fight against corruption and organized crime, and the promotion of fundamental rights, including media freedom, property rights, and minorities.

In the economic field, Albania needs to accelerate preparations to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU. With the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, the EU aims to give a major boost towards closing the economic convergence gap between the EU and the Western Balkans.

Finally, a major challenge for Albania is to align with EU standards in all areas covered by EU law. This requires not only changes in laws, but also administrative capacities, budgets, and investments.

Let me add two more important elements. First, the membership process is not a “box-filling exercise”;

Albania will need to demonstrate that reforms are being implemented, that they are sustainable and that long-term administrative capacity is being built. The EU looks at the bigger picture: how are Albania's democratic institutions functioning? Are policy initiatives in line with EU membership commitments?

"Secondly, as negotiations accelerate, it is even more important that the government establishes effective mechanisms to communicate, consult, and take into account the views and interests of civil society, business, and other societal actors ," the EU ambassador said.