After a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for the six western Balkan states to join the EU as soon as possible. “We want to welcome them as members of the EU as soon as possible,” he said, referring to Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo.
Integration is of strategic importance to this German government, says Scholz.
The next summit to bring the six countries of the Western Balkans closer to the European Union will take place on October 16 in the Albanian capital Tirana, Scholz and Rama announced. It is the first time in the nine-year history of this summit that a meeting has been held in one of the countries of the Western Balkans.
Rama: “This plan brings the necessary normalization”
At the same time, Scholz urged Serbia and Kosovo to implement the basic treaty presented by Germany and France for the normalization of their bilateral relations: “I assume that the process can be brought to a successful conclusion.” Serbia does not recognize the former province. of Kosovo as its own state. Albania, which has very close ties with Kosovo, wants the treaty to be implemented. “This plan provides the necessary normalization,” said Rama.
Rama on NATO: ‘We have no intention of abandoning the format’
Meanwhile, NATO member Albania wants to maintain cooperation with China as part of the so-called “14 plus one” format. “We have no plans to leave the format,” said Rama. Earlier, the Baltic EU states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia had given up their cooperation with Eastern European countries in this grouping set up by China. The reason was the rising political tensions with the communist government in Beijing.
Still, it would be wrong to abandon the format just to show a particular political point of view. Especially Albania, which was largely isolated from the outside world for more than 40 years under the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha, has experienced that exchange with everyone is important.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
