Dec 3, 2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
Prime Minister Edi Rama did not appear very optimistic about the
possibility that, within the framework of the integration process, the European
Union will open talks on the first group of chapters with Albania, in the month
of December.
The European Commission has asked the member countries for this process to start at the end of this year, but during a conversation with the Atlantic Council on integration in the EU and the Balkans, Mr. Rama described the deadlines as technicalities.
"I'm not too obsessed with these technicalities. We have started
negotiations for membership, negotiations are continuing. We did a very
good job, as was underlined on every page of this year's progress
report. This is the most important. What will be its technicalities,
I will not make much effort and I will not spend much energy to understand
it. It is a complicated and complex process.
The most important thing for us is to take the right steps. As it is
known, 27 member countries are between the fulfillment of the obligations and
the approval. They are together on big principles, but they are not always
together when it comes to making decisions. Let's discuss this
issue", said Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The hesitation of Prime Minister Edi Rama seems to be related to Greece's
warnings that the case of the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri, will
affect Albania's progress towards the European Union.
The arrest of Mr. Beleri, two days before the May 14 elections and the
trial against him on charges of vote-buying, is considered by Athens, among
others, as a violation of minority rights and political rights. On the
other hand, the Albanian authorities have considered this as a matter that
belongs only to justice.
The European Commission's proposal for starting talks on the first group of
chapters is expected to be discussed at the December meeting of the European
Council, where every decision must be taken with the approval of all member
countries.
VOA
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