TIRANA, May 4 /ATA/ – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi said European Union enlargement is a geopolitical necessity and vital for the continent’s security, speaking at a conference of EU parliamentary leaders in Denmark on Monday.
Peleshi took part in the Conference of Speakers of EU Member States’ Parliaments, which brought together parliamentary leaders from member and candidate countries to discuss security challenges and the future of EU enlargement.
Addressing a session on Europe’s role in a changing global order, Peleshi outlined Albania’s positions on geopolitical developments, enlargement and the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
He said Europe faces a critical moment marked by strategic rivalry, hybrid threats, economic pressures and ongoing conflicts that directly affect the continent’s security.
Referring to Russia’s war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, Peleshi said such developments show that insecurity does not remain confined but spreads beyond borders.
He described EU enlargement as a key instrument for strengthening stability and security, warning that leaving the Western Balkans outside European structures creates space for external influence and instability.
A united Europe, he said, would be stronger and more resilient.
Peleshi stressed the need for a clear and credible EU perspective for the region, calling it a strong driver for reforms and democratic consolidation. He also pointed to the Western Balkans’ potential contributions to the bloc, including a young workforce, strategic location and energy resources.
He said the enlargement process should remain merit-based, but also require strong political will from EU member states and institutions, warning that unjustified delays risk weakening the bloc’s influence in the region.
Peleshi said Albania has made tangible progress and remains committed to its European path, aligning with EU foreign and security policy and contributing to international missions and NATO as a reliable ally.
He expressed hope the conference would help accelerate enlargement, noting that Albania and Montenegro are among the frontrunners, alongside other Western Balkan countries and candidates such as Moldova and Ukraine.
The conference in Denmark serves as a platform for parliamentary leaders to exchange views, strengthen cooperation and coordinate positions on Europe’s security challenges and EU enlargement.
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