TIRANA, Nov 21 /ATA/- By Maela Marini/ Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Friday that an agreement has been reached with the European Union regarding 11 border crossings between the EU and the Western Balkans, as well as 5 CEFTA checkpoints.
At the opening of the “Growth Plan – Our Pathway to the EU” Summit, Rama stated that this agreement will help reduce costs and enhance competitiveness.
“We know the Balkan border—sometimes it moves, sometimes it sleeps, sometimes it meditates—but those days must come to an end. Today is the day that, the contribution agreement signed between the European Commission and the World Bank paves the path for funding and expertise,” Rama added.
He explained that this means shorter queues, quicker freight movement, reduced logistical costs, and greater competitiveness.
“A delayed truck equates to a delayed GDP. A truck that moves efficiently reflects an economy in motion. It’s really quite straightforward,” the Prime Minister added.
Rama also highlighted the “Wi-Fi for the Western Balkans” project, describing it as a tangible outcome of the integration process.
“This is Europe’s digital infrastructure reaching every corner through the Wi-Fi for the Western Balkans programme. It is no longer a promise but a reality: 394 municipalities have been selected—61 in Albania, 114 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 33 in Kosovo, 24 in Montenegro, 63 in North Macedonia, and 99 in Serbia. The first networks will become operational this year, from village squares to city centres, from schools to tourist spots. Our citizens will experience Europe every time they connect their phones,” the Prime Minister emphasised.
Turning to the reform agenda, Prime Minister Rama highlighted that 618 steps have been taken towards European integration, noting that “the region has never experienced reforms at this scale.”
“Under the new Growth Plan, 618 reforms have been adopted. Of the €414 million already disbursed, 251 reforms are still in progress, accounting for 88% of all measures actively implemented. These reforms span public finance, the rule of law, governance, energy, digital transformation, and the business environment,” he added.
Rama underscored that these reforms, while potentially highly laborious on paper and demanding in implementation, are nonetheless profoundly transformative in practice./j.p/sm/
