TIRANA, Dec 9 /ATA/ – Albania’s parliament is strongly committed to fulfilling all obligations stemming from EU accession negotiations, Taulant Balla, chair of the National Council for European Integration and co-chair of the EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, said on Tuesday.
Balla met representatives of the parliaments of Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia during a study visit to the Albanian parliament focused on evidence-based lawmaking.
The Socialist lawmaker underlined the historic importance of the negotiation process and the central role played by parliament in Albania’s EU path.
“The entire negotiation process goes through parliament. Every negotiating position must be approved by parliament, as well as the closing of chapters,” he said.
Balla highlighted recent institutional changes, noting the strengthening of the National Council for European Integration and the merger of the committees on European Affairs and Foreign Policy. He said the reforms ensured that the opposition now chairs the Council.
“For us, Albania’s foreign policy is entirely centred on European integration,” Balla said, adding that the country aims to play an active role in the international security architecture.
He said EU membership remained Albania’s irreversible strategic choice, backed by broad political and public consensus, with more than 90% of citizens supporting the process.
Balla reaffirmed parliament’s objective of completing accession negotiations by 2027. “As chair of the National Council for European Integration, co-chair of the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee and leader of the parliamentary majority, I want to reiterate parliament’s strong commitment to meeting all obligations arising from the negotiations. Our clear goal is to complete this process by 2027,” he said.
He added that Albania was determined to maintain the pace of reforms, ensure timely approval of EU-aligned legislation and exercise responsible parliamentary oversight throughout the negotiation period.
/j.p/u.sh/
