European institutions, in particular the European Commission, talk about continued engagement with the private sector and ongoing investment dialogue. But beyond this general discourse, a detailed narrative is missing: what is happening with the agreements signed in Tirana?
Last October, Tirana became a major hub for European economic diplomacy. The EU-Western Balkans Investment Forum promised a new chapter for the region: more investment, more integration and a concrete rapprochement with the European Union’s single market. Today, six months later, the enthusiasm in that room seems to have waned, while the questions have increased. At first glance, everything seems to be moving forward. Several projects have advanced: a large wind farm in northern Albania, investments in 5G networks in the region, plans for new battery industries in Serbia. In documents and declarations, progress exists.
But on the ground, especially for Albanian businesses, this movement does not easily translate into concrete opportunities. What is missing is not just pace – it is clarity.
European institutions, in particular the European Commission, talk about continued engagement with the private sector and ongoing investment dialogues. But beyond this general discourse, a detailed narrative is missing: what is happening with the agreements signed in Tirana? When will they materialize? And above all, who really benefits? In the business corridors, the answers are vague and such concerns have been directed to the Albanian Post editorial office. Interest is growing, but orientation is lacking. Businesses are seeking access to financing, reduced barriers and integration into European supply chains – but these remain more objectives than tangible realities. “How will it proceed”, “why do Balkan businesses, and above all Albanian ones, not benefit from these initiatives, even though they sound strategic”? These questions are widely raised in the business community.
Unofficially, however, it is acknowledged by high-level structures in Brussels that the process does not yet have a clear trajectory. The agreements exist, but the mechanisms to move them forward are still under construction. Coordination is slower than expected and communication – to say the least – remains fragmented. This creates a gap between what was promised and what is perceived today. A gap that is not only technical, but also psychological: business confidence in these initiatives is beginning to waver.
At the same time, geopolitical reality does not wait. China’s economic presence in the region is growing at a pace that is often perceived as more direct and less bureaucratic. Projects are more visible, deadlines more concrete, and the impact more immediate. In this silent comparison, the European Union risks appearing slow – not for lack of resources, but for lack of pace and communication.
The Tirana Forum was not a failure. On the contrary, it was a landmark moment that established a new framework for cooperation. But a framework, without concrete content and clear communication, remains incomplete. The challenge now for the European Commission is to move beyond the declarations phase and into the results phase. To show not only what it intends to do, but what it is actually doing – and when. Because in the end, for businesses and citizens of the Western Balkans, integration is not measured by forums and summits, but by concrete, tangible and immediate opportunities. And so far, these opportunities remain pending.