21st Meeting of the CPSA in Strasbourg/ Balla: Albania has entered the decisive phase of EU membership

2026-07-08 16:50:00, Aktualitet CNA

21st Meeting of the CPSA in Strasbourg/ Balla: Albania has entered the decisive

The Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group and the Co-Chair of the European Union-Albania Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee, Taulant Balla, declared that Albania has entered a new and decisive phase of the European Union membership process.

In his opening speech at the 21st meeting of the CPSA, which is taking place in Strasbourg, Balla described this as a historic moment for the country's European journey, emphasizing that the progress achieved in recent months constitutes a recognition of the transformations achieved in key areas of integration.

He said that Albania is awaiting the conclusion of the three chapters of the negotiations and the continuation of the work at the next Intergovernmental Conference, describing this as a development beyond a technical procedure.

According to him, Albania's achievements are related to progress in areas such as the rule of law, democratic institutions, public administration, fundamental rights, security, sustainable development and tourism. Balla also stressed the importance of the fight against disinformation, calling for debates to be based on facts and verified information.

The Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group underlined that the reform process has required political will, determination and continuous efforts from Albanian institutions.

Full speech:

Today is a special day, because this meeting takes place at a time when Albania has entered a new and crucial phase of its membership process.

This week we are waiting for the green light to close three chapters and next week to meet at the next Intergovernmental Conference. What we have achieved in recent months is much more than just another procedural development. It constitutes a clear recognition of the transformation that Albania has achieved in some of the most demanding and crucial areas of European integration:

The rule of law, democratic institutions, public administration, fundamental rights, security and sustainable development and tourism will be some of the topics we will focus on today and tomorrow morning. Never forgetting that we are in the European Parliament and we must share real information among ourselves, based on facts.

Disinformation replaces debate with manipulation, facts with lies, and trust with doubt. Therefore, the fight against disinformation is a defense of truth, freedom, and democracy itself.

To advance with reforms has required political will, determination, difficult reforms and has required continuous efforts from many institutions and many people. We have worked intensively together for this moment, fully aware of its significance not only for our institutions, but above all for Albania's rightful place in the European family.

These achievements belong first and foremost to the Albanian people, our citizens who support the path towards the European Union with 92%. I do not think that there is any other European country or EU member state that has this 92% support in favor of European membership. These achievements are also shared with our European partners, with the institutions of the European Union, with all member states and with all of you here who have supported Albania in a continuous and constructive manner.

For this, we are grateful and will remain grateful. This support has also found a strong and meaningful expression in the recent European Parliament Resolution on Albania, adopted by a large majority of 483 members of the European Parliament who voted in favor of the resolution on Albania. I was very happy that Albania received more votes compared to other Western Balkan countries. .

It was a clear political message that we know how to read: that Albania's progress is recognized, that our path of reforms is credible, and that our European perspective is real and deserves further support.

At the same time, we are fully aware that the road ahead will continue to be challenging. But no serious country should underestimate the work that still remains to be done. No serious parliament, and I address my colleagues here, should underestimate the responsibility that this new phase brings.

But Albania enters this phase with more credibility, stronger institutions, more institutional maturity, and a clearer sense of purpose and direction.

As you have heard me say before, perhaps I am one of the oldest members of the KPSA, and I repeat it today because I deeply believe it: Europe is not just a destination for Albania. Europe for us is the standard by which we measure the transformation of our country, day after day, reform after reform, institution after institution. For us, Europe is not just about the end of a process. It is about how we govern, how we draft laws, how we protect fundamental rights, how we protect environmental standards, how we strengthen democracy and how we build trust in institutions.

Rest assured that we will respect all these standards. And, above all, with the way we improve the lives of our citizens. That is why we were voted to improve the lives of our citizens in Albania. That is precisely why the work of this Parliamentary Committee is so important. /CNA