Prime Minister Edi Rama has given an interview to Euronews, where he spoke about European integration and the war in Ukraine. Rama said that one of the reasons the European Union has accelerated the process of European integration is the war in Ukraine. He admitted that, if it were not for the invasion of Ukraine, the integration process would not have progressed so quickly.
Moderator: Let's get back to the reason why you're in Brussels. Has the fact that there's a war going on and there's already a real new push for enlargement had any impact? Is that having a positive impact on you, or do you think that because of this war there's already a push, so if it weren't for the invasion of Ukraine, we wouldn't be here, we wouldn't be talking about this?
Prime Minister Edi Rama: It is very likely, and it is sad...
Moderator: ...that it took a war.
Prime Minister Edi Rama: It is sad that it took a struggle to turn right and proper words into deeds, because it has always been said that the Western Balkans are of strategic importance for the European Union, that the future of the Western Balkans is in the European Union, that one day we will be together, but in the meantime, in many ways, the process was quite disappointing. I have to say that the aggression created a new energy, and this is something truly inspiring, as inspiring as it is that Europe came together, as inspiring as it is to read on the wall of this great building a very clear message of unity.
So, in other words, the opening of chapters with the European Union has come about due to the geopolitical situation and the uncertainties that have been created in EU policy after the war in Ukraine. While when conducting interviews in Albania but also in public statements, the Prime Minister and government representatives present it as a success of the Socialist Party and their reforms in four governing mandates.
