Edi Rama: I'm recovering from the depressing Brussels meetings

During his official visit, Prime Minister Edi Rama has named Vienna the best place to recover after the EU summit in Brussels, which he has called “depressive”. From Austria Rama said the EU needs the Balkans, as much as the Balkans need the EU.

I find this place perfect to discuss Europe and the Western Balkans. In this kind of intersection where some of the stairs go up, some go down and we're in the middle. Yeah, we can lift each other but we can also put each other down. Some understand it very well, some need more incentive to understand it. Today the EU actually needs the Balkans, as much as the Balkans need the EU. On the other hand, I have to say, it's not a good idea to invite someone from the Balkans and let him sit because it might take a really long time to hear his word. So congratulations on everyone who had the idea of me standing so that my body can stop rushing my mouth. Let me also say that there is no better place than Austria to recover from the depressing Brussels meetings. I want to thank with all my heart, Caroline, for sending me the invitation and director of this fine forum. I cannot thank the Chancellor enough for his excellent hospitality. He is here with us, just as he sits next to me on the Council, as Albania and Austria start with A. It's more than that, I have the leader of a country that has since been a supporter of the Western Balkans and Albania. Thank you Carl”, Rama said, addressing Austrian Chancellor Carl Nehammer.

While commenting on the Bulgarian parliament's decision to accept the French proposal for the removal of vetous to northern Macedonia, the prime minister said nothing is connected only to Bulgaria. Among other things, comments to Russian President Vladimir Putin's state of health, saying it is unknown whether his words are true or not.

“Dje, the Bulgarian parliament voted for something, but I want to stress that this is not only connected to Bulgaria. Bulgaria is the final expression of the warped enlargement spirit. There is something deeper that has been lost and must be recovered quickly. We all hear Putin is very sick. It may or may not be true, but it does not seem to be The EU is very healthy and that our space is well protected from what can come. I heard one of the French friends saying Putin has done the opposite of it has sought to bring together Europe, bringing together NATO, but it's too early to say it doesn't look like next winter will be easy and we shouldn't take the edge of the patience of public opinion that doesn't even exist in Russia.

The problem is that the more people they have, the less they are inclined to give up even a small thing. Tell the rich we have to endure high inflation because one thing much more important is at stake is easier said than done. But what can I say on the other hand? In our corner of the world, The EU is the only geographical reality in the history of maps that have two borders, one internal and one external, and it is this part of the world called Balkans and I believe Austria is one of the few that has clear ideas regardless of internal issues and has never betrayed“, Rama said.

According to Rama, the EU is powerless in the face of Bulgaria's kidnapping of the two NATO, Albania and North Macedonia countries. Bulgaria's veto of Northern Macedonia, Rama called it a consequence of a major deformity of the EU enlargement process.

The Bulgarian Parliament voted for something I hope will be enough for our friends of North Macedonia. But I think that's not all. This is not just about Bulgaria. Bulgaria is only the final and extreme expression of the warped enlargement spirit. It's something deeper that has been lost and must be restored quickly.” said Rama.

Rama, Austria's Chancellor Carl Nehammer, has expressed his support for the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union. The Chancellor said the issue is complex, while also citing his country's support for Albania's independence.

The issue is quite complex, heard of disappointment, duration of negotiations, efforts to obtain status. And the existing problem between Bulgaria and northern Macedonia and Albania in this regard.

There are people who question our commitment and ask why we favour the Western Balkan countries becoming part of the EU. We are among the biggest investors among the Western Balkans, but there are also many competitors, Saudi Arabia, Turkey that has built the airport in Kosovo, of course for its own interests.

How absurd it would be that an Austrian Chancellor would not stand by Albania to become part of Europe. We supported Albania's independence, and this brings us closer and shows how close we are to each other. So many events over time, but the strong link that comes from history, we were always allies. Let's not stay in the old Narrative. Austria's history is marked by the experience of landing and rising, we have seen victory and defeat. And how long it takes for that. You are right, Eddy, there are many challenges that must be dealt with especially in terms of ethnic tensions, related to the former Yugoslavia's disaster. We must learn from our history with humility”, Nehammer said.