The first Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference was held today in Brussels, which paves the way for our country to join the European Union.

Addressing the meeting on the analytical review of the legislation for Albania, North Macedonia, and the EU, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, stated that EU membership is one of the strategic objectives for which Albania has worked hard among the years.

“We are aware that a very demanding and challenging process awaits us. We are ready. Our determination is unwavering. At the same time, we are aware that much remains to be done. However the formal opening of negotiations restores the credibility in the EU integration process,” she said.

The head of Albanian diplomacy Xhaçka emphasized up to date a long process of explanatory meetings has been held with the Commission.

“The presentations of the explanatory meetings have been our guide: First, for our transposition plan – the National Plan for the European Integration; Second, for our preparations for the bilateral analytical review; Thirdly, for our efforts to strengthen administrative capacities, aiming to have all the structures needed to secure the development of our membership negotiations”, Minister Xhaçka mentioned.

Part of the Albanian delegation led by Prime Minister Edi Rama were the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, Chief Negotiator Zef Mazi, as well as representatives from state institutions involved in this process.