The European Parliament votes the report: Albania Ready for Starting EU Negotiations

The committee voted by 66 votes for, 4 against and 3 progress abstentions in Isabel Santos' report on the European Commission's assessment of Albania's progress in European integration during 2021 on Wednesday.

In the report, Eurodeputs assess Albania's commitment to European integration and express clear support for the country's democratic transformation and aspirations for EU membership.

They expressed regret over the failure to open delayed membership negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia, stressing full solidarity and sympathy with the citizens of these countries. They stress that the two countries have met the conditions set by the European Council.

Praising Albania's continuation as “a reliable and dedicated foreign policy partner, fully in line with the EU's foreign policy, security and defence policy”, the Santos report calls on the EU to assess critically “key historical security applications for stability and unity on the European continent and in the Western Balkans in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine<3>.

It urges member states to demonstrate European unity by formally launching membership negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania, taking into account both the geopolitical implications of the decision, as well as the fulfillment of official criteria by the two countries.

Eurodeputs also have some requirements for Albania; they urge our country to continue and intensify its efforts to strengthen the judiciary, strengthen democracy, rule of law and the economy. Albania is also required to empower civil society, fight corruption and organised crime, ensure media freedom and ensure protection of minority rights, including the LGBTQI community.