In a Twitter post, Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Gent Cakaj writes that today’s decision will be a test of the European Union’s ability to deliver its promises, and look to the future.

‘Today, the European Union will have to make a historic choice. Albania has carried out ambitious and courageous judicial reforms, becoming an trailblazer in the region,’ states Acting Minister Cakaj.

According to him, it is high time for the EU to start accession talks with Albania, as another delay might slow down and have a negative impact on Albania’s progress concerning the ongoing reforms, and would undermine the EU credibility, with the risk of boosting strategic rivals across the Western Balkans.

‘This is the hour of Europe. The Balkan countries do not need a narrow, inward-looking European Union that is disengaged and lacking in their vision of enlargement. We need a European Union that is fair, open, and a beacon of hope in troubled times,’ writes Acting Minister Gent Cakaj.​