Speaking today at the Inter‑Parliamentary Conference ‘Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Accession’, held in Tirana, Schieder addressed participants from Albanian institutions, the European Parliament and national parliaments across Europe.

“The main reason we are engaged in the enlargement process is that I still believe EU enlargement is not merely a project for the future. It is something the entire continent deserves and what we all dreamed of in 1989,” Schieder said.

He noted that the enlargement process may have taken longer than originally envisaged, but in his view this makes its completion all the more important. Referring to Albania, Schieder said the broad public support for EU membership represents an opportunity for the country to maintain the momentum of reforms.

‘Here in Albania 95% of the population are in favour of the EU, and this is a special opportunity for the country to harness this momentum,’ he said. The European Parliament’s rapporteur for Albania underlined that the country is currently in a crucial phase of negotiations, stressing that the process is not only about opening chapters but also about meeting standards and implementing reforms.

He singled out areas where further work is needed, including the rule of law, economic and environmental reforms, the application of European standards, social and health impacts, as well as foreign policy. Schieder praised Albania’s justice reform, referring to the vetting process and the restructuring of the judicial system.

We must look at all issues, such as the rule of law, where Albania ten years ago undertook a very important and difficult process of vetting and reforming the legal system,’ he said. According to Schieder, Albania still has several chapters to close, but he stressed the country has time to continue the process in line with the set objectives. He also stated that Albania could aim for EU membership before the end of this decade.

We may well think that Albania deserves to become a new EU member before the end of this decade. I would say this is a challenge — of course it is — but we have seen that Albania, through its authorities and Parliament, has taken on this challenge with considerable determination,’ Schieder declared. He stressed that enlargement is not merely a project of Brussels or Tirana, but a process involving all EU countries and societies.

‘This is not merely a project of Brussels or Tirana; it is one that seeks to bring together all people, embracing the 27 EU capitals and our societies as a whole,’ he said. In this regard, Schieder described the conference as an opportunity to exchange ideas and debate the future of the enlargement process.

/sm/