Skopje, 23 September 2024 (MIA) - Membership in the European Union remains our strategic priority, both in domestic and foreign policy. We believe that the EU should continue to offer a clear and accessible path to membership for our two countries, as well as the entire Western Balkan region. By maintaining a credible enlargement policy, the EU can stimulate reforms and incite a feeling of hope and direction, said Albania's Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali who is on an official visit to the country on Monday.

Following a meeting with Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi, Spiropali said it is imperative for both the EU and the Western Balkan countries to affirm their mutual commitments within the accession process in the near future.

“In this context, we regret the non-fulfilment of the task accepted by North Macedonia regarding the constitutional amendments. Both here and in the broader region, they are seen as an appropriate sacrifice for a deserving prize that is missing. The messages from Brussels during the meetings of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with the Western Balkan leaders are hopeful, noting that the countries from our region belong in Europe and that the European Union and the Western Balkans are bringing their economies and markets closer through the Growth Plan with EUR 6 billion for the region,” Spiropali said.

She assessed that the Albanian factor in the country plays a decisive role in the relations between the two countries, stressing that the Macedonians in Albania are also a firm bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

“In that spirit and in that philosophy, I am certain that the fair and proportional representation of Albanians in the country’s institutions, based on the geopolitical reality of the region and as part of the mutual interest, will continue in line with the modern democratic standards of a multiethnic society. This is one of the conditions that guarantee the efforts to construct a functional multiethnic society, based on a complete implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. We also expect, with faith and hope, that the Law on Languages will be fully implemented. The Albanian language, at least for us Albanians, is holy and is related to the essence of our identity,” Spiropali said.

She added that she understands the concerns of the Albanian factor in the country over the possibility for changes based on the decision of the Constitutional Court, but, she said, she expects this to be solved in accordance with the spirit of the Ohrid Framework Agreement.

Spiropali also stressed the importance of the realization of Corridor VIII.  

“I look forward to traveling from Tirana to Skopje and back on this Corridor,” she said. 

Photo: MIA