Addressing a joint press conference after handing over the European Commission’s 2023 Albania Progress Report, Ambassador Luigi Soreca said that “the Commission has been informed, but not consulted about the Memorandum of Understanding between Albania and Italy. We have received the text of the agreement just two days ago and the consultations on the text are underway.”

“We understand that this text is just an initial step and it should be translated into law by the two sides and we will make our assessment here,” Soreca said.

According to him, there are details that need to be identified on the law.

“It is still too early to make an assessment. At the moment the documents have more political value, but not necessarily legal value. In any case, the EU and its member states can cooperate on migration issues with other countries, always respecting the implementation of EU legislation and international conventions,” he said.

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Speaking at a joint press conference with the Deputy PM Balluku, Ambassador Soreca noted that this year’s enlargement package takes place in a particular context, which is underpinned by two very important political developments on the continent.

“First, enlargement is firmly back on the EU’s political agenda, in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, to which the EU as a whole has reacted firmly, together with its most important partners, including Albania,” he said.

“There is now a renewed consensus that a credible, merit-based enlargement is the key driver of transformation, and thus enhances our collective security and socio-economic prosperity,” Soreca noted.

“As President Von der Leyen said yesterday when presenting the enlargement package, we must respond to the call of history, and work on accelerating EU enlargement and completing the Union,” he added.

“The second key driver is the recognition that economic convergence is an essential element in getting Albania and the other Western Balkan countries closer to the EU,” the EU Ambassador stated.

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President Begaj appreciated the balanced and encouraging conclusions of the 2023 Commission Report for Albania and the New Enlargement Plan for the Western Balkans.

The Head of State also appreciated the recognition by the European Commission of the progress of reform processes in Albania, in particular the reform of justice, the fight against corruption and organized crime.

President Begaj reconfirmed his unwavering support for Albanian institutions in fulfilling their priorities.

Begaj said that, “Albania is also committed to create a functional economy, which can help improve the full integration of our country into the EU single market. We deeply appreciate the efforts of the European Commission to accelerate economic integration through the New Enlargement Plan for the Western Balkans”.

“In my capacity as President of Albania, I would like to assure all our citizens and international partners that I will continue to be committed to the advancement of the European integration process, which remains our main national objective”, President Begaj emphasized./p.s./

Funded by the EU with a grant of 19 million euros and implemented by AFD, the project will help reduce the environmental and health impact of solid waste at the waste points in Kukës and Gjirokastra/Vlora.

The project foresees the increase of recycling in order to reduce the volume of waste and the establishment of new landfills according to the models of the European Union and the facilitation of waste management to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The project will also help Albania to further align with EU standards on its way to membership in the European Union.

The project will improve the living conditions of nearly 190,000 residents in the regions of Kukes and Gjirokastra.

This project is in line with Albania’s National Waste Management Plan (NWMP) for the period 2020-2035 and will be an important historical moment towards the implementation of reforms and investments in accordance with EU directives in terms of economy circulation and fulfilling the green agenda.

In a joint ceremony, Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro, the French Delegate Minister responsible for Foreign Trade Oliver Becht, the French Ambassador to Albania Catherine Suard, the EU Charge d’Affair to Albania Luigi Soreca and AFD’s director for the Western Balkans Arnaud Dauphin officially launched this new project. After an initial phase of consultations and technical studies, the concrete investments will start from 2024-2025 for a period of four years.

“Environmental protection is a top priority for the EU and I am very happy that we are launching the first circular economy program of the EU in the region”, said the EU Chargé d’Affaires in Tirana, Ambassador Luigi Soreca. /r.e /p.s./

“For the census to be conducted according to the standards of the big European family, the EU has allocated a grant of 4.8 million euros INSTAT,” EU’s interim Chargé d’affaires to Albania, Ambassador Luigi Soreca said in his remarks at a conference marking the launch of the population and housing census.

Ambassador Soreca underlined that it is important that the population and housing census, set to kick off on September 18, provides credible information.

In his opening remarks, EU Ambassador Soreca stated that Albania is heading in the right direction towards EU accession.

“Albania is experiencing a very good moment after a good job in the screening process in recent months and is now ready for the important meeting between the European Union and the Western Balkans in December in Brussels,” Soreca said.

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In a post on social networks, the EU delegation reported that the meeting took place in a key moment for EU enlargement and Albania’s EU integration process.

Ambassador Soreca encouraged Albania to continue actively supporting EU foreign, security, defense policy, and commended Albania’s role as a constructive regional player.

“Together with Albania, we continue the journey toward a more stable, secure, and prosperous Europe”, is read in the post of the EU delegation. /k.s/p.s./

Ambassador Soreca noted that more than 11,000 pupils and 748 teachers will begin school year in brand-new educational facilities recently built under the post-earthquake EU4Schools programme in Albania.

“We are proud that through our flagship programme, EU4Schools, more than 11,000 pupils and 748 teachers start this year in brand-new facilities. These modern schools and kindergartens are stronger, safer, and more accessible, built together with the local community,” Soreca said in his message.

The EU Ambassador noted that construction of four new schools has already completed and six more schools are currently under construction.

He praised the amazing results the EU has achieved together with the implementing partner UNDP in Albania.

“The EU’s quick and effective response to the post-earthquake recovery process in the education sector in Albania is now a reality for the Albanian people,” Charge d’affaires, Ambassador Luigi Soreca said.

The new 2023-2024 school year started on Monday all over Albania’s pre-university education system.

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Balla and Ambassador Soreca had Fruitful discussion on the pivotal role of rule of law and fight against organized crime in Albania’s EU integration process, the EU Delegation in Tirana said.

The two discussed the continued EU support to Albania on security, and migration matters, and the preparation of the meeting in Tirana next week of Interior Ministers of the Berlin Process in view of the Summit next October.

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“It’s an honour and a privilege to be back in Tirana in this particularly important moment for EU enlargement and for Albania’s EU integration process, and in concomitance with the upcoming Berlin Process Summit in Tirana,” Ambassador Soreca said in his remarks at the meeting.

“The EU stands firmly by Albania in consolidating the achieved progress, deepening the country’s transformation and pushing for important reforms that will bring Albania into the EU,” Ambassador Soreca added.

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Xhaçka thanked Ambassador Soreca for the support given to the integration process of Albania.

“Thank you dear Luigi for all you have done to support Albania EU integration. Thanks, above all, for having been a good friend of Albania. Your tireless work in the aftermath of the earthquake and during the pandemic will be remembered with immense gratitude. Wish you the best in your new position!” said Xhaçka on Twitter.

After 4 years of service in our country, Soreca is appointed in a new office in Brussels./j.p/r.e/p.s./