Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said that Albania could become a member of the union in 2029, if Prime Minister Edi Rama “continues his excellent work.”
At the Bled forum in Slovenia, she said that there is no shortcut for all candidate countries that want to join the EU, including Albania.
“We have opened two more group chapters with Albania and we have agreed with Ed that we will celebrate, first in Brussels and secondly next year with the football match between member countries and candidate countries in Tirana and where it is understood that the President of UEFA will play with us, as well as some others.
“In 2028, we could have 28 members. And if Edi continues to do what he’s doing so brilliantly, then in 2029 we could have 29 members. However, I don’t have much time, I only have four years, so hurry up,” Kos said.
Kos added that candidate countries must implement all reforms.
“This process cannot be successful if we do not have leaders who believe for themselves that this institution is the best thing.”
We need leaders who put reforms above everyday affairs, who know how to resolve bilateral issues and thirdly, leaders who believe it is their duty to push the citizens of their countries to this point. Membership is not just about what we do in Brussels, it is also about how much the public supports it.
“Geopolitics has changed, we are faced with the fact that there are external disruptive forces as I define them that want to see us fail. Now we have external forces that want us as Europe to fail, we have important elections in Moldova. Russia is trying hard to fight against the current government,” Kos added.