In a meeting with the socialist assembly of units 3 and 4, Rama stated, “No one else can do what is needed for Albania at this stage and under these circumstances. There is no one else who can bring Albania into the European Union. You need to be very clear about this. They can’t do it, they don’t have the capacity to do it, they don’t have the trust we have earned, they don’t have the respect we have earned.”

Prime Minister Rama stated, “Indeed, today Albania has a different reputation, but it is not yet at the stage where Albania’s reputation is independent of the government in the country. Albania’s reputation will be independent of those who govern when Albania becomes a member of the European Union. At that point, Albania will be freed from the dependency on the government. There, Albania will be equal in dignity, and then equal in standards, economy, and all other aspects. This is a journey that will continue.”

“Certainly, there are significant opportunities, as membership in the European Union enables a country to benefit from the support of others. The EU is organized into two categories of countries: contributors and beneficiaries. Larger, wealthier nations serve as contributors, while newer, less affluent countries are the beneficiaries. Therefore, a country like ours, upon joining the EU, will experience a renewed sense of opportunity and will receive considerably greater and more structured support than it currently does. This is akin to a family structure, where the more established members assist the smaller ones,” emphasized Rama, further noting that the newer, less wealthy countries are the beneficiaries.

“Some of the countries that joined the EU early, after the collapse of communism, were initially major beneficiaries, but have now transitioned into contributors. We will join as beneficiaries. However, beyond the economic and financial gains, the greatest benefit lies in the fact that fate, life, and divine providence have placed us in the Socialist Party, granting us a voice slightly louder than that of an ordinary member. This provides us with the opportunity to seek reparation for the countless humiliations inflicted upon us throughout our history, whether by others or by our own actions. I believe that, in fact, we have inflicted more harm upon ourselves than others have upon us, but ultimately, this distinction is not a major issue,” emphasized Rama.

The Prime Minister remarked, “We have been a nation, a people, a country that endured humiliation. However, we are now on the verge of seizing the opportunity to reclaim what is rightfully ours. I say this in a positive light, as the chance to finally free ourselves from the burden of being undervalued, demeaned, and treated as a second-class people. We are offering every living individual the opportunity to feel equal whenever they think of Europe or visit Brussels. No longer should they perceive it as the capital of a select few, but as their own capital as well. When they hear the discussions emanating from there, they should hear their own voices, and, in return, receive the advance of retribution for those who are today’s children.”
The Prime Minister stated, “It is one thing to be in Europe holding a foreign passport as a European citizen, and another to be in Europe as a citizen with a red-and-black passport, which is fully equal, with ‘Republic of Albania, European Union’ inscribed above the eagle. This represents a completely different reality. It is one thing to operate a business at the EU’s border, and another to run a business within the EU. It is one thing to be a student coming from the Balkans to the EU, and another to be a student within the EU. These are distinct situations. Above all, however, this marks an epochal, centuries-long shift, as, from now on, we will no longer be the ‘others’ in the heart of Europe,” said Rama, emphasizing that we are achieving what generations have dreamed of and hoped to witness in 200 years.

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