The European Parliament's rapporteur for Albania, Andreas Schieder, said in the Albanian city of Vlora yesterday that Albania's integration into the European Union can be achieved within the current decade, ATA reported, quoted by BTA.
According to him, if the Albanian parliament and government maintain this pace of implementing reforms, EU membership can be achieved within the mandate of the current European Parliament, which expires at the end of 2029.
He participated in the forum "A few more steps towards the EU", organized by the Albanian ambassador to Austria Fateh Velaj and with the participation of the EU ambassadors accredited to Albania and the Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Elisa Spiropali.
Schieder said that Europe will only be complete when the entire Western Balkans, and Albania in particular, are part of it.
"The European Union remains the largest political project in history", the Austrian MEP stressed.
"Since it was granted candidate status, Albania has naturally committed itself to making rapid progress and implementing reforms", the rapporteur pointed out, adding that EU integration would improve the quality of life of citizens.
"Beyond the technical aspects relating to the judiciary, economic modernisation, public administration, increased media transparency, education and other areas, EU membership brings citizens, especially young people, a higher standard of living, while at the same time involving benefits, challenges and responsibilities in all sectors," added Schieder.
He stressed that European integration is a project of the whole of society and every citizen must be involved in it.
"EU integration is not just a government project, but also a project of the whole of society: businesses, workers, pupils, students, scientists and every citizen. Everyone must get involved in this endeavor. It was a dream in the 1990s and we in Austria shared this dream even before we joined the EU. Now I see the same dream in Albania", said Schieder.
"I believe that enlargement is not only an effort on the part of Albania, but also an opportunity for the whole of the European Union", the EP rapporteur also emphasized.