Sharing the panel with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, Rama stated, “We have truly been fully supportive of all empires, and the empire we embraced by our choice was the European Union.”
“We are deeply committed to it, and by the way, I don’t believe there is any other place in Europe where you can run an election campaign precisely on the EU promise,” said Rama.
Rama further said, “Just a short while ago, I was in another room, in a different discussion, and someone from Slovenia told me that we are making good progress, but to be careful about what we wish for because we are already in the EU, and things aren’t going very well for us.”
“I replied, ‘Look, Slovenia is in such a strong position that when we consider everything you have — and everything we aspire to — it’s truly remarkable. However, there is one area where you seem to be struggling: optimism. You appear quite pessimistic because things are so flawless and beautiful, and there’s a fear that any disruption could cause harm,’” Rama remarked.

Rama went on to say that, meanwhile, Albania still has many areas that require ongoing improvement and adaptation.
The Prime Minister emphasized, “I believe Europe should serve as a meeting point for the world. Europe — and not just Europe, but the entire Western collective, at least until recently before the shift in America — must move away from imposing its way of life on others. We must safeguard our own way of life, but without selecting friends or partners based on their lifestyle choices.”

Rama stated, “If Europe expands with us, it becomes stronger and more compact because it doesn’t leave a part of its body open for microbes, viruses, infections, and so on to enter. And this is the key—if tomorrow things head in a different direction, this would be an open wound in the heart of Europe. Meanwhile, if we are inside, we are simply closing a very small space that could otherwise become a major problem.”
“We are the only real example in history and geography where the EU has two borders—an external border and an internal border—and within that internal border, it’s just me and him. So what kind of enlargement is this? Close that internal border. It’s as if entering the single market were China or someone else threatening Europe, whereas, among other things, we bring entertainment, optimism, youth, and a zest for life,” Rama said.
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At a joint press conference with the Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly, Nataliya Kiselova, Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali stated that “the support of the National Assembly and personally of Speaker Kiselova will serve as an added guarantee toward achieving this goal.”

Spiropali said that “during the meeting, we discussed the traditional, historical, and cultural friendship between our countries and peoples, which is being strengthened to the benefit of our people and Albania’s European perspective.”

“The political relations between Albania and Bulgaria are excellent, stable, and free of any unresolved issues,” Spiropali said.

Spiropali conveyed to Parliament Speaker Kiselova Albania’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through continued high-level political exchanges.

“This objective aligns closely with the priorities of Enlargement Commissioner Marta Koseva, as presented to the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) of the European Parliament. We trust in Bulgaria’s support, including in meetings of the Council of the European Union, as a member state. Albania has called for an accelerated EU accession process, which is crucial not only for the Western Balkans but also for the European Union itself, considering the consequences and implications of the Russia-Ukraine war on the Western Balkans and the European continent,” Spiropali emphasized, adding that the same hopes and wishes extend to the European integration of other countries in our region, whose natural destination is the European Union.

Spiropali further stated, “Membership is a merit-based process, and we believe that bilateral disputes should be resolved by upholding European values and good neighborly relations. Cooperation between the Albanian Parliament and the Bulgarian National Assembly is intensive and developing at high levels. I am referring not only to today’s meeting but also to former Parliament Speaker Zhelyazkov’s visit to the Albanian Parliament in February 2024, as well as other meetings at various levels.”

Spiropali and Kiselova expressed their shared commitment to intensify and expand parliamentary cooperation through friendship groups, parliamentary committees, and individual deputies.

“Albania and Bulgaria have cooperated and will continue to do so as active NATO members, working together to promote peace and security in the region, Europe, and beyond. Both countries actively engage in regional initiatives such as the Central European Initiative, the Southeast European Cooperation Process—whose presidency Albania holds since June 2024—the Regional Cooperation Council, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Berlin Process, and others. We highly appreciate Bulgaria’s efforts to strengthen regional initiatives and enhance their impact on the European perspective of the Western Balkans,” Spiropali emphasized.

Parliament Speaker Spiropali stated, “Bulgaria is an economic partner for Albania, but I believe there is still potential to intensify economic and trade relations. The Joint Action Plan for Tourism, signed in October 2024, could be followed up by cooperation in other areas such as Corridor 8—a project of strategic importance for both countries—as well as other infrastructure, energy, connectivity, and sustainable development projects. These are not only economic investments but also contributions to peace and security. Both our countries will continue to support Ukraine’s just struggle and security as part of a broader framework of European and global defense.”

“We share the same view that the Albanian community in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian community in Albania have the support of their parliaments, governments, and institutions in preserving their language and cultural heritage, as well as in fostering development and prosperity—assets of great value and bridges of friendship between our two countries,” Spiropali concluded.

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