On social media, Rama shared highlights from the reception of Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the key messages conveyed during the joint press conference.

“Ursula, it is a particular pleasure to have you back in Tirana. And since we are now living in a merit-based world, you have all the merit to take the floor and address the public,” Rama said as he gave the floor to the President of the European Commission.

“Thank you very much, Edi! It is truly a great pleasure to be back in Tirana, and my experience has been that Albanians carry Europe in their hearts,” she said at the beginning of her statement to the media in Tirana.

The President of the European Commission emphasized: “Here in Albania, you have worked hard to turn Albania’s European dream into reality. I think the goal is now in sight. Albania is among the front runners in our accession process. Albania has once again made impressive progress. Albania’s accession will not only make Albania stronger, but it will also make the European Union stronger.”

Prime Minister Rama stated: “We are preparing to begin closing chapters soon, specifically before this year-end, and then to continue intensively next year, with a significant number of chapters already opened.”

Rama shared details from his meeting with Ursula von der Leyen.

“We also discussed Albania’s track record of major efforts in the fight against organized crime and corruption, which remains a consistent priority on our agenda and on the EU’s agenda as a whole, particularly for candidate countries. Together, we were pleased to acknowledge that it is now very clear in Albania that if, until yesterday, corruption was the system, today the system is fighting corruption.”

“My final message is this: You are preparing in Albania, but we are preparing as well, because enlargement is a two-way process. And the EU must be ready to welcome new members,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen concluded.

 /a.g/sm/