TIRANA, Oct 28 /ATA/ – Albania’s relations with the European Union are at their most advanced stage to date, both politically and economically, the Chief Negotiator for EU accession, Majlinda Dhuka, said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the 20th meeting of the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee in Tirana, Dhuka praised the broad political backing for Albania’s EU integration efforts from both the Albanian Parliament and the European Parliament.
“These relations are now at a more advanced stage than ever before – politically, diplomatically, economically and in terms of Albania’s accession path to the EU,” Dhuka said.
She highlighted Albania’s growing diplomatic role, noting that the country had hosted the European Political Community Summit, serving as “a hub of European political ideas.”
Dhuka said Albania also aspired to act as “a hub of Euro-Atlantic political ideas,” as it prepares to host the NATO Summit in 2027, which she described as further evidence of the country’s advanced political ties with the EU.
Commenting on economic ties, she underlined that the EU remains Albania’s largest trading partner and biggest investor, and that both Albania and the Western Balkans aim to become “a new investment front” for European countries.
Chief Negotiator noted that support for EU accession remains strong – over 90% among Albanian citizens and above 50% among EU citizens – and that parliamentary diplomacy would be key to sustaining public backing for enlargement across member states.
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