TIRANA, April 9  /ATA/ Prime Minister, Edi Rama, also leader of the Socialist Party, has rejected opposition claims that nine European Union member states have blocked the country’s accession process. 

Speaking at a Socialist Party Assembly meeting in Durrës, Rama described the assertion as “a complete joke,” while responding to a party member who raised the issue. Rama insisted that such statements about EU accession coming to a standstill are unfounded and misleading. 

Rama noted that similar assertions had been made regarding Albania’s participation in the Peace Board, yet the invitation was ultimately extended and Albania is now a member. 

Rama explained that EU membership negotiations involve two sides: Albania’s own reforms and the EU’s monitoring. He likened the Union to a two‑storey building, with member states on the upper floor and the European Commission on the lower floor, staffed by around 35,000 officials. A dedicated section of the Commission tracks candidate countries daily, overseeing their progress and ensuring they meet the obligations set during the accession process. 

He added that Albania’s EU accession process works in two stages. First, the European Commission monitors whether candidate countries complete their assigned tasks. Once Albania meets those requirements, the Commission recommends opening negotiations. The decision then moves to the 27 EU member states, all of whom must agree unanimously. Rama stressed that even a single “no” vote can block progress, underscoring that accession depends both on Albania’s reforms and on collective approval from all EU members. 

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Osmani said the EU-facilitated dialogue should focus on mutual recognition and equal treatment of the two sides, while pointing to what she described as Serbia’s continued breaches of existing agreements.

“Now that the unjust measures have been lifted, we will continue to work closely with our European partners to move decisively toward candidate status for membership in the European Union,” Osmani said in a statement after the meeting.

Sørensen is expected to travel to Belgrade after his meetings in Prishtina, where he will hold talks with Serbia’s leadership.

His visit comes as Kosovo awaits the formation of new state institutions following snap parliamentary elections held on Dec. 28, which were won by Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s ruling Self-Determination Movement (Vetëvendosje).

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“Justice reform has provided what was expected in terms of independence and accountability,” Gonzato told a justice reform forum in Tirana, adding that it has made a “very significant contribution” to Albania’s EU path.

The EU diplomat acknowledged reforms had yielded results but urged full implementation.

“We must preserve the positive steps made so far. The glass is half full, not half empty,” he said.

Gonzato stressed that institutional cooperation remains essential. He highlighted that the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP) must assess prosecutors based on structured performance indicators such as efficiency, ethics, and managerial ability.

The EU Ambassador also called for greater transparency in judicial appointments and performance evaluations, stronger conflict-of-interest safeguards, and improved public communication to bolster trust in the system.

The ambassador also addressed judicial transparency, urging regular reporting from justice institutions, including SPAK, to the Albanian Parliament. While acknowledging the prerogative of Parliament to determine engagement levels, he warned that accountability must not come at the expense of judicial independence.

“Parliamentary oversight must not undermine the autonomy of justice institutions. They are independent by law, and that independence must be preserved,” he stated.

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