Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka and the Ambassador of the European Union Delegation in Tirana, Luigi Soreca confirmed that Albania has met the conditions to start negotiations with the EU.

During a meeting organized at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs with students of international relations and young diplomats, Minister Xhaçka said that thanks to the colossal change, our country is very close to the European dream.

“Albania is probably the country that has undergone the greatest transformation as it tries to build Europe within its territory. Thanks to this work, we are today closer than ever to the realization of our European dream. Albania has met the priorities and conditions to hold the first Intergovernmental Conference and to start the negotiations for membership, chapter by chapter. The negotiation process is not only a process of transformation that in the end we will be EU members but we will be a country with European standards.

I believe that this enthusiasm of Albanians for the European Union, the will and desire to work tirelessly to achieve this dream, is today the best expression of what Europe Day represents”, declared the Minister during her speech.

According to Ambassador Soreca, the EU institutions and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs should continue to keep discussions on the Western Balkan countries on the agenda.

“Albania and North Macedonia have met the conditions for the opening of negotiations by the European Council and both these countries deserve to have a date for the First Intergovernmental Conference. All 27 member states will take this decision together in June. We are making sure that Albania and North Macedonia go through this process together. I have the impression that all countries have reached a point where they can understand that what is required from both countries is fulfilled. Thus, I am a pragmatic optimist that this decision will be taken soon, in June,” he said.