TIRANA, Oct 13 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama voiced confidence on Monday that Albania will meet its target of wrapping up all EU accession negotiation clusters by 2027, calling it an “achievable and realistic objective” within the country’s control.
“I don’t just believe it – I am absolutely convinced it is within our hands to meet the 2027 objective,” Rama told reporters during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Tirana.
Rama dismissed past frustrations over EU delays, noting that previous criticisms stemmed from instances when the Commission had recommended opening negotiations, but the European Council failed to act due to opposition from a few EU member states.
“Back then, my comments were not about the Commission, but about the Council’s inaction. I stand by every word I said during that time,” Rama said, emphasizing that the current political climate is markedly different.
The government head praised the European Commission’s support and highlighted the rapid pace of negotiations since the first intergovernmental conference.
“We’ve opened five out of six negotiating clusters in just 11 months – a record pace. This hasn’t happened by chance; we’ve done our homework, and no one in Brussels gives anything away for free,” he said.
Rama also noted that the 2027 target for concluding negotiations was jointly agreed with the European Commission and is tied to a concrete roadmap of reforms and benchmarks.
“If we continue with this rhythm, determination, and success at each step, we will meet our end of the deal. The Commission, to my knowledge, has always fulfilled its part – with fair and objective evaluations of our progress,” he said.
Looking ahead, Rama acknowledged that following the conclusion of negotiations, EU member states will each have to ratify Albania’s accession individually – a separate political process.
He also praised President von der Leyen’s leadership, noting her consistent support for enlargement and for treating the Commission as a “geopolitical actor” since the start of her term.
“Her commitment has not wavered. This has been her position since day one,” Rama said.
Von der Leyen is visiting Albania as part of her Western Balkans tour and to participate in the first EU-Western Balkans Investment Forum, taking place in Tirana on October 13-14.
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