European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began her tour of the Western Balkans in Tirana on September 30. During her stay in Albania, she met with President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama, while at a joint press conference with Rama she described the country as one of the states advancing in the process of joining the European Union.
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Von der Leyen said that the goal of membership is achievable, but stressed that Albania still has considerable work ahead. She called for progress in all the negotiation chapters that have been opened, particularly mentioning judicial reform, the electoral framework and environmental protection.
According to her, adopting laws is not enough if they are not fully implemented and do not produce concrete changes for citizens. Von der Leyen stressed that this requires a commitment that goes beyond political divisions, as well as sustained dialogue with society in order to address its concerns.
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the government has an “iron will” to advance European integration. According to him, the process has now entered the stage of closing the negotiation chapters. Rama said that he also discussed the fight against corruption and organized crime with the European Commission president, stating that both sides noted Albania’s progress in these areas.
Investigations into officials and the case of Vlora Hyseni
Asked about investigations into senior officials suspected or accused of corruption, von der Leyen said that the existence of these proceedings demonstrates that the system is functioning. She described the fight against corruption and organized crime as an issue of fundamental importance for the European Union as well.
Rama said that some developments perceived in Albania as steps backward are viewed by the European Commission as signs that the country is a serious partner in confronting corruption and organized crime. He said that, for the first time, Albania has a system capable of self-correction and self-cleansing, made possible by the separation of powers and the distinct functioning of each branch.
The prime minister stressed that responsibility for officials under investigation is individual, while his political duty is to ensure the continuation of judicial reform and the fight against corruption and organized crime.
Regarding the former head of the State Intelligence Service, Vlora Hyseni, Rama said that so far no international partner had informed the government of concerns related to national security or the reliability of relations with partners. Hyseni is being investigated on suspicion of supporting the perpetrator of a crime and disclosing secret acts or data.
Rama said that the investigation would determine whether there had been actions that compromised national security or trust with partners, but added that no such concern had so far been conveyed to the government by any international partner.
Investigations by Albania’s Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) have involved ministers, former ministers and heads of central and local institutions. The cases concern suspicions of corruption, money laundering, abuse of office and other criminal offenses.
The Zvërnec project and protests outside the Prime Minister’s Office
During his meeting with von der Leyen, Prime Minister Rama said that he had briefed her on developments surrounding the investment project in Zvërnec, which has prompted reactions and protests from environmental activists.
He said that the project is awaiting an in-depth environmental study and that the government has taken steps to significantly increase transparency and communication with the Albanian public. Rama promised that all project documents would be published in the coming days.
As the meeting was taking place, dozens of people protested outside the Prime Minister’s Office, calling on the European Union to pay attention to their concerns. One of the chants was “Albania in the EU without Edi Rama,” while the protesters called for the prime minister’s resignation.
The protests began over the Zvërnec project but later expanded to include political demands for the government’s resignation, the creation of a transitional government and changes to the electoral system. The project envisages the construction of a resort in the protected Pishë Poro–Nartë area and has been opposed because of its potential environmental impact and issues related to land ownership.
In June, the European Parliament called on Albania to halt the issuance of new permits and construction work in protected areas until a full and independent assessment of the environmental and legal impact had been carried out. The adopted resolution did not specifically mention any project.
Proposed changes for the enlargement of the European Union
The European Commission president announced that policy reviews would be presented next week as part of preparations for EU enlargement. She said that the European Union’s institutions, policies and budget would be assessed, with the aim of ensuring its readiness to accept new members.
Von der Leyen also said that road maps would be established to ensure that commitments to democratic values and the rule of law continue to be respected after membership.
Asked whether these changes could accelerate integration or restrict the rights of new members, she said that she could not provide full details because the process is still under way. However, she stressed that measures are needed to guarantee compliance with obligations even after a state has joined the EU.
Rama said that the use of the veto does not serve the European Union well. He described Albania as one of the victims of this mechanism and said that the country would not lose out if the veto were abolished.
The European Commission is expected to adopt its enlargement strategy on October 7. According to a draft of the document obtained by Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL), candidate countries will have to meet strict requirements, while the EU must prepare institutionally, financially and politically to continue functioning after enlargement.
The preliminary document includes mechanisms intended to limit the ability of new members to block decision-making during the first years of membership. It also envisages tools for responding if these states move away from their accepted obligations.
The most sensitive point in the proposal concerns limiting the right of veto, described in the draft as a “temporary obligation concerning decision-making in the Council of the EU and the European Council.” Under this idea, future members would undertake not to oppose Council decisions in areas where unanimity is required. These are still proposals included in the draft and not adopted rules.
During the conference in Tirana, von der Leyen did not directly refer to the issue of the veto. After Albania, she will travel to Kosovo and Montenegro on October 1, while she will conclude her visit to the Western Balkans on October 2 in North Macedonia. The European Commission has said that visits to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia will take place on another date because of upcoming elections in those countries.
