
Flash News

by Klementin Mile / Liberale.al
Albania's European integration has stalled in the country, despite the statement of our Prime Minister that "we are in love with a blind love of Europe." Debates over whether this is a technical or political process have already taken place, and the public presentation of the thesis that Macron's France prevents right-wing extremist Le Pen from opening negotiations with Albania does nothing but divert attention from the real issue of Integration.
Two years ago, in 2018, I wrote an article about the Albanian expectations of Integration, when the negotiations were expected to open in June 2019. This was considered a closed issue, but, as time showed, Albania was not ready for Europe. The title of the article was "What to do until June 2019?". Our country's European integration constantly deserves this title, simply by changing the date as appropriate and the promise of negotiations. The problem remains the same. Therefore, this article, without any changes, I bring back below:
June next year is not the month of opening negotiations. It is a month for the EU to consider whether or not to open negotiations with Albania. Therefore, June 2019 does not carry any guarantees - it is just a date in the long and difficult process of European Integration.
I have had the opportunity to follow this process closely for 5 years in a row, as an employee of a ministry that no longer exists, the Ministry of Integration. In 2007, analyzing the experiences of other European Union countries, I concluded that Albania could join the EU in the best case in 2021 and in the worst case in 2027. These membership dates, which then seemed terribly distant, are already being confirmed. Thus, if the negotiations open in June 2019, Albania will be able to join the EU by 2029.
However, the problem is not just a long time this process takes. The crucial issue relates to the approach we have to it. The progress and success of membership also depend on how we conceive of integration. Beyond the rhetoric of politicians that European Integration is the most important process for the country, that it is vital for the future of Albania, that it is an irreversible process and so on, there are at least three major problems with the conception of Albania's European Integration.
First, Integration is not conceived and experienced as a process, but as a simple sequence of events. For Integration to be a process, previous events must be increasingly decisive for subsequent events. Only when Integration is conceived and treated as a process can it be said that it is irreversible. Otherwise, such a phrase, so much liked by our politicians, is ridiculous and meaningless.
Second, Integration is not "doing homework". Despite the fact that Brussels gives recommendations and sets conditions for Albania, this does not mean that Tirana is simply obliged to obey. Even the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU does not oblige the Albanian executive and legislature for everything. In that agreement there is room for freedom, ie political maneuvers, it is a matter of first harmonizing the Albanian legislation with the European one in the field of transport, then that of agriculture. But when our politicians also talk about "homework", this proves that Albanian politics is being deprived of the essential element of political vision and is becoming a technical and managerial entity. And it is known that when the "homework" is not done properly, "European teachers" come to fix the situation.
Third, integration is not a matter of costs and benefits - neither financial, nor legal, nor cultural. This is because European Integration is not a static process that assesses the passivity of countries, where for example to be sure that you will lose in the field of agriculture, but will benefit from funds for infrastructure. Despite this, Integration must be conceived as a dynamic process, facing challenges and opportunities. Challenges are obstacles that need to be overcome, such as the modernization of public administration, justice reform, a market freed from monopolies. Challenges can bring losses, but only when we fail to overcome obstacles. Even opportunities are not sure that they will bring profit. It depends on whether we become active and the quality of our activation. For example, experts know that Albania, in the framework of European Integration, has the opportunity to benefit from EU funds in various fields. To have this opportunity, Albania pays a considerable amount of money. This money is not justified by the projects won, many times less than other countries in the region. This is a typical case when the opportunity fails to materialize as a gain, but as a loss.
June 2019 is very close. But he does not bring with him any guarantee for Albania. As always, the European future of our country will depend on us. Will we know how to conceive, experience, and take European Integration seriously as a process, that is, as an irreversible thing? Will we be able to turn the vision of our politics, and why not even inject a little sovereignty? Will we be able to overcome the obstacles of challenges and catch the train of opportunity, or will self-interested, partisan, and corrupt interests triumph as usual? Liberal Newspaper
Tags: european, integration, klementin mile
Latest news


Two vehicles collide on the Elbasan-Peqin axis, drivers injured
2025-07-05 19:26:29

What does Zelenskyy have more than Zegjineja?
2025-07-05 18:45:26

Fiscal peace, but at a cost
2025-07-05 18:00:10
'Bankers' tax evasion, Chinese CEO and former director jailed
2025-07-05 17:39:21
Kyle Walker joins English club on two-year deal
2025-07-05 17:20:24
Two cars collide on the Saranda-Delvina axis, 4 injured
2025-07-05 17:05:29
Touching gesture! Liverpool will pay Jota's family's salary until 2027
2025-07-05 16:45:18
The zodiac signs that cheat most often
2025-07-05 16:25:53

"I asked for the dismissals", Dredha tries to soften Rama's 'blow' in Vlora
2025-07-05 15:48:49
Bomb threat in Parliament, prosecutor: It was a lie
2025-07-05 15:22:28

Bardhi: The recount revealed how greedy Zeqine Balluku is in stealing
2025-07-05 14:44:29
Knife wound on the secondary road Tirana-Durrës, perpetrator sought
2025-07-05 14:37:54
Tears and pain, Diogo Jota is escorted to his final home
2025-07-05 14:21:34
Success starts with yourself! Simple ways to invest in personal development
2025-07-05 13:58:50
Unlicensed firearms found in apartment, 50-year-old arrested in Lushnje
2025-07-05 13:43:11

Tirana Court remands Skerdi Sina to prison
2025-07-05 12:59:34
Cocaine laboratory in Greece, here are the Albanians arrested and wanted
2025-07-05 12:40:16
Directed Justice/Vangjeli: SPAK does not investigate any scandal involving Rama
2025-07-05 12:22:03

Bomb alert, Police remove MPs and media from Kosovo Parliament building
2025-07-05 11:48:16
"The will of the people" and the irony of ordered resignations
2025-07-05 11:32:05
Summer drowning risk: How to enjoy the water without risking your life
2025-07-05 11:20:27
Fire situation in the country, 16 fires reported in 24 hours, 4 still active
2025-07-05 11:07:04
Car hits pedestrian at white lines, injured in serious condition in Vlora
2025-07-05 10:59:58
Mosquito-borne diseases are a growing problem in Europe
2025-07-05 10:44:13



One of Sweden's most dangerous and wanted criminals arrested in Turkey
2025-07-05 09:38:29
Foreign exchange/ How much foreign currencies are bought and sold today
2025-07-05 09:18:38

"Don't be influenced by the opinions of others", today's horoscope
2025-07-05 08:40:50

Morning Post/ In 2 lines: What mattered yesterday in Albania
2025-07-05 08:02:07

Trump says he's ready to raise tariffs to 70% on some countries
2025-07-04 22:35:52
Tre shenjat e zodiakut që do ‘pasurohen’ në Korrik
2025-07-04 22:05:09
Gaza War: Hamas Accepts US Proposal for 60-Day Ceasefire
2025-07-04 21:50:10
Autocracy in Albania, Fuga: Governance has gotten out of control
2025-07-04 21:40:51
Meta: Agriculture on credit, the new fraud!
2025-07-04 21:26:39




Vote recount in Durrës ends without changes
2025-07-04 20:12:54
Gas station explodes in Rome, 25 injured (VIDEO)
2025-07-04 20:00:20

These afternoon habits often sabotage weight loss
2025-07-04 19:39:28
Former Arsenal player Thomas Partey accused of rape
2025-07-04 19:24:21
Shepherd disappears without a trace in Delvina
2025-07-04 19:14:31

Bardho gave Zegjine's mandate/Braho: Unfair! It violates the electoral system
2025-07-04 19:01:08


Rapid developments in the Sultanates!
2025-07-04 18:00:06



Italy tightens rules for skateboard traffic
2025-07-04 17:20:18

Unusual for the time, dense fog covers the coast of Vlora
2025-07-04 16:48:01


Accident on the Shkodra-Lezhë axis, one dead and 3 injured
2025-07-04 16:14:19
Albania with fewer requests for asylum and Albanian citizenship in 2024
2025-07-04 16:06:57

Albania last for quality of life, DP: Technical government is the solution!
2025-07-04 15:42:30
Nico Williams says "No" to Barcelona, signs with Athletic Club until 2035
2025-07-04 15:33:35
Fires in the country, four fires are still active, what is the situation?
2025-07-04 15:24:20

Summer brings big changes for these 4 zodiac signs
2025-07-04 15:00:04
Osmani: MPs need to agree to a secret ballot for the Speaker of Parliament
2025-07-04 14:51:09
Serious accident on the Peqin-Elbasan axis, two injured
2025-07-04 14:37:56

GJKKO leaves in force the security measure for the head of the KPP
2025-07-04 13:58:17
Who will replace Ilir Meta and take over the leadership of the PL?
2025-07-04 13:50:36
Berisha: Dismissal of directors in Vlora, another act of 'scapegoats'
2025-07-04 13:41:46




Librazhd/ In a serious psychological state, the young man consumes pesticides
2025-07-04 13:05:07


Weapons trafficked from Kosovo to Albania, two arrested, 8 pistols seized
2025-07-04 12:33:28
Konsumimi i tepërt i çokollatës, ja cilat janë dëmet që shkakton në organizëm
2025-07-04 12:23:35

Fires in the country, 21 fires in the last 24 hours, 4 still active
2025-07-04 12:00:19
WB calls for debt transparency: Albania to publish details of every loan
2025-07-04 11:50:05
Changes in the State Police, new names expected to lead 5 police stations
2025-07-04 11:40:06

The race for the head of the BKH, the third phase on July 11
2025-07-04 11:20:23
