TIRANA, July 8 /ATA/ The head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group and co-chair of the EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, Taulant Balla, said Albania had entered a new and critical stage of its European Union accession path.
Addressing the opening session of the committee’s 21st meeting in Strasbourg, Balla described the moment as a historic milestone for Albania’s European integration, adding that the progress made in recent months recognised the country’s reforms and transformation in key areas related to EU membership.
“Europe is not simply a destination for Albania; it is the benchmark against which we measure the country’s transformation, day by day, reform by reform and institution by institution,” Balla said.
He said Albania was awaiting the conclusion of three EU negotiation chapters and the continuation of talks at the next Intergovernmental Conference, calling it a step that goes beyond a mere technical process.
Balla said Albania’s progress reflected advances in key areas, including the rule of law, democratic institutions, public administration, fundamental rights, security, sustainable development and tourism.
He also stressed the need to tackle disinformation, urging that public debate be grounded in facts and verified information.
“Disinformation replaces debate with manipulation, facts with lies, and trust with doubt. The fight against disinformation is a defence of truth, freedom and democracy itself,” Balla said.
The head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group stressed that the reform process has required political will, determination and sustained efforts from Albanian institutions.
Balla thanked the European Union institutions, member states and European partners for their support to Albania, also referring to the European Parliament’s latest resolution on the country.
“This was a clear political message that Albania’s progress is recognised, that our reform path is credible and that our European perspective is real,” Balla said.
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