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Albania: Speech by High Representative Josep Borrell at the Intergovernmental Conference

European External Action Service (EEAS)

19.07.2022
EEAS Press Team

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Thank you, President [of the Council of the European Union, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský]

It is evident for all of us that today marks a huge achievement and the result of many years of work.

By starting the negotiation process, Albania will become a member of the European Union and with that, the European Union is taking a decisive step towards its completion.

The Western Balkans are of key geostrategic importance for the European Union - and this is a moment in which this importance is being shown. Importance for Albania, for the whole region and for the European Union as a whole.

In this new phase, Albania will take advantage of this opportunity to accelerate the crucial reforms and move closer to the European Union, building on important work that has been done in the previous years. Reaching European Union standards through this process will transform your society, the Albanese society, and bring concrete benefits to your citizens.

Let me focus on the foreign and security policy aspects.

Your full alignment with the European Union foreign and security policy positions and decisions, as well as your ongoing work and excellent cooperation at the United Nations Security Council, reflect the clear strategic direction that you have chosen. We know that it comes with a price, and part of this price is that you have been added to a certain list of "unfriendly countries". But at the same time, being part of the most friendly community in the world, which is the European Union.

As I said at our meeting with all Western Balkans leaders in June, your consistent 100% alignment with the European Union's foreign policy and sanctions is not a technical exercise. In these difficult geopolitical times, nothing [is] less technical than foreign policy. It is a political decision, which deserves our appreciation. Our relationship is not just a matter of simple transaction of interests, but a relationship based on shared principles, values and goals.

Let me underline that Albania will be able to count on the European Union's support to counter the malicious influence of third powers, as well as on the European Union's support to build resilience and to help you address the consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Not only on price increases - I know how difficult it has been for you, Prime Minister [of Albania, Edi Rama], to face the consequences of the war in terms of food and energy prices. And more than that, just a few days ago, the Albanian government was targeted by a massive cyberattack. Only last week, we launched a Rapid Reaction Mechanism to tackle precisely cyber threats and disinformation in the Western Balkans with our partners, especially those who are most closely aligned with us on foreign policy matters.

Albania has also been a moderating voice in a complex region, including by helping in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. And I continue counting on you for that.

Albania sets an example for good neighbourly relations. And this role will become more important as you move towards European Union membership.

I am looking forward to continuing to walk on our common European Union path together, because we need you. We need Albania in order to complete the European Union nature.

We need each other, because we will be stronger together.

Thank you.