TIRANA, Oct 6 /ATA/ – Albania is doing its part to advance its European Union (EU) accession process and aims to wrap up membership negotiations by 2027, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Tuesday, calling for political commitments on EU enlargement to be matched by concrete steps.
Speaking at the 12th Tirana Connectivity Forum, which focuses on regional cooperation, connectivity and the European future of the Western Balkans, Hoxha said candidate countries needed a clear roadmap agreed with the EU.
“Albania is doing its part. We are moving forward chapter by chapter, criterion by criterion, reform by reform, with the objective of concluding accession negotiations by 2027,” Hoxha said.
He said the reforms required for EU accession should also be viewed as investments in Albania’s development and modernisation.
Hoxha also backed gradual integration, allowing candidate countries to participate in EU policies and programmes and gain greater access to the bloc’s single market before full membership.
“Through gradual participation in EU policies, the Single Market, joint programmes and strategic projects, we can accelerate convergence while strengthening confidence in the enlargement process,” he said.
Such gradual integration should not replace full membership but should provide a more practical and sustainable path towards it, benefiting both candidate countries and the EU, Hoxha said.
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