TIRANA, July 3 /ATSH/ During the presentation of the National Council for European Integration’s annual report in the Assembly today, Deputy Chairman Toni Gogu affirmed that Albania has achieved significant progress on its path toward European Union membership.
At the close of this legislature, Toni Gogu emphasized Albania’s significant progress toward EU integration, highlighting it as the country’s strongest national consensus and praising the National Council for European Integration’s dedicated leadership throughout the process.
Gogu stated that five negotiating chapters have been opened so far, with the sixth expected in the autumn.
“Albania’s foreign policy is fully aligned with that of the EU. Albania is the EU’s most strategic and reliable ally in the Western Balkans. What Commissioner Kos stated a few days ago—that Albania’s future lies within the EU—is the reality for every Albanian,” Gogu said.
He further criticized the opposition in response to remarks by Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, who described Albania as the sole narco-state in Europe.
“You attempted to smear Albania by labeling it a narco-state, yet farmers work from dawn to dusk to sustain the nation, alongside teachers and firefighters. The alleged ‘patient zero’ of Albanian corruption cannot justify corruption by besmirching the country,” he stated.
“The latest EU reports recognize Albania as a regional leader, acknowledged not only by Europeans but also by Albanian citizens. Therefore, when discussing the work of the National Council for European Integration, we must rise to the occasion. The EU’s trust in Albania is absolute. We are not intimidated by criticism; instead, these critiques motivate us to work harder. That is why you see the ruling majority engaging directly with citizens, discussing how the EU’s support will trickle down to villages, financial markets, banks, and commerce,” Gogu stated.
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