Remarks by Prime Minister Edi Rama and European Council President Donald Tusk at joint press conference:
Prime Minister Edi Rama: Hello everyone!
First of all, I have to say that beyond the usual protocol that calls for courtesy words, I am very grateful for the today’s visit by President Tusk, who returns to Albania and is today here in Albania and in the region in view of what it has been since day one, one of his leadership’s points of reference, that is the process of Western Balkans integration into the European Union.
On the other hand, I am very pleased about availing myself of the opportunity today to thank Mr. President right here in Tirana for everything he has done and also share with him this very special moment for me, for us all and, I hope, for Mr. Tusk too, to award him our great Star of Public Gratitude and share on this occasion also some significant moments, not only symbolically, in the common history between His and our country.
I am also very pleased to also note the clarity of President Tusk who has always publicly voiced his approval for this process and I definitely appreciate in front of all our public his constant efforts as an avid advocate of the EU enlargement process and the process of further alignment of the Western Balkans with the European Union, especially Albania and North Macedonia.
In brief, I believe that to our citizens it is much more important to hear what President Tusk has to say as he is here specifically to talk about them and convey a public message.
Thank you very much again Mr. President!
European Council President Donald Tusk: Good afternoon everyone!
Let me thank you, Prime Minister Rama, dear friend, dear Edi, for your warm welcome. I am always happy to return here. Let me also thank you for the great honour of receiving the Public Gratitude medal. You told me I deserve this medal for my support for the European integration process of Albania. I am very proud to receive this distinction, but the greatest award for me would be the opening of accession negotiations with Albania.
When I visited Tirana April last year, I spoke of my dream for your country and the entire region to follow the same path as my country, Poland, towards the EU. Today, one year on, I can say that, thanks to your efforts, we have come closer to that goal. No one should have the slightest doubt about this. Here in Tirana as well as in all EU capitals.
In June, the European Union’s Heads of State or Government committed to deliver a “clear and substantive” decision on whether to open accession talks with you and your neighbour, North Macedonia, in October this year. We are coming closer to this moment. I have always thought that the EU should open accession talks with both Albania and North Macedonia, in line with the positive recommendations from the Commission. I have not changed my mind. Your country must be treated with equal respect and on its own merits, just like all other countries in the region that share your goal of becoming EU members one day.
In our meeting today, we also discussed the importance of your country maintaining a solid track record as regards the rule of law and the fight against corruption and organised crime. The EU’s obsession with the rule of law – and I would add with “reconciliation” and good neighbourly relations – is part of our DNA and will not go away when you become members. Otherwise, the European project would stand on shaky grounds.
But equally important is that Albania’s and the region’s accession to the EU is in the best interest of the whole of Europe. Because there will be no stable and safe Europe without the integration of all the Balkans in the EU. What is at stake is our common future. And no one is doing anyone any favours here. Thank you.
