TIRANA, Sept. 30 /ATA/ – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that Albania must maintain its focus on reforms, stressing that further work was needed as the country advances towards EU membership.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said Albania needed to continue implementing reforms across all open negotiating chapters.
“However, now is the time to maintain this focus because there is still work ahead. This brings me to my second message,” she said.
Von der Leyen identified justice, the electoral framework and environmental protection as areas requiring further reforms.
“Further reforms are needed across all open chapters. You know which ones they are: justice, the electoral framework, environmental protection – the breathtaking, extraordinary nature of Albania,” she said.
She stressed that adopting reforms was only part of the process and that their full implementation was equally important.
“Adopting reforms is important, but it is equally important that these reforms are fully implemented, ensuring that they bring real change for the citizens of Albania,” von der Leyen said.
She said this required genuine commitment beyond political divisions, as well as sustained dialogue with civil society to address its concerns.
“This requires genuine commitment beyond political divisions, as well as strong and continuous dialogue with society to respond to all of society’s concerns,” she said.
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