TIRANA, April 3/ATA/ Minister of State and Chief Negotiator of Albania with the EU Majlinda Dhuka stated today that all our region has a real opportunity to join the European Union, therefore we must all work to get this perspective.
In her speech at the regional meeting “Social Dialogue in the Western Balkans”, Dhuka stated that, “The institutions of the European Union have a special interest in the Western Balkans region becoming part of the EU”.
“We are closer to the EU than in other areas when it comes to social dialogue. Albania and several countries from the Western Balkans have created a bridge of cooperation with the European Economic and Social Committee and we are also participating in a pilot initiative with this committee”, said Dhuka, adding that there has also been created the Joint Consultative Committee with the EU, while the first inaugural meeting will take place tomorrow.
“We are doing this work in an accelerated manner now, not just when we become a member state,” Dhuka emphasized, adding that, “Albania is gradually moving forward on the path towards the EU.”
“Every country in the Western Balkans is moving forward with the aspiration towards joining the EU. The future in the EU for the entire region is real. Therefore, let us all work for this perspective,” said the Chief Negotiator.
We, Dhuka added, “will certainly become a member state and this will bring us many opportunities and challenges.”
Meanwhile, she emphasized, “The path towards membership is in itself a fundamental and real change.”
“The last 10 countries that have become members of the EU have clearly shown these economic and social changes that have become tangible with the improvement in living conditions, work, and economic standards,” Dhuka said, adding that, “We want this journey to bring us these benefits for our citizens who are in the labor market.”
The Chief Negotiator added that, “The Western Balkans and the EU have a convergence challenge because we live in a situation where the living standard is lower than the EU average”.
“The Growth Plan is the EU’s partnership model with the Western Balkans and aims to integrate the two markets. This will bring opportunities for employees, but also the value chain, increasing the knowledge of our businesses, but also of our employees”, said Dhuka.
The Chief Negotiator thanked the EU for putting priority to such areas such as social dialogue, employment and youth. /a.f//r.e/p.s./
