Discussion Forum – Europea between ideals and identity: Dialogue with youth, 12 December 2025

In the framework of the National Youth Day, commemorated every 8 December, as well as the International Human Rights Day, marked on 10 December, the European Movement in Albania held on 12 December 2025 a discussion forum, which served as a space for reflection for students and young professionals on the meaning of Europe today as a community of values and on the way in which the European integration process translates into more opportunities and perspective for young Albanians. The participating youth engaged in an open dialogue with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Albania, H.E. Mr. Reinout Vos, who was the main guest of this meeting.

Nirvana Deliu, Project Director at the European Movement in Albania (EMA), opened the meeting by welcoming the participants and emphasizing that when we talk about Europe, we often refer not only to geography but also to a shared space of values, which have been shaped within Europe and have in turn shaped Europe itself. Albania has aspired to be part of this space, and EU integration is precisely the process that will “seal” our identity as Europeans, as we have often been at a historical crossroads, she said. In conclusion, she emphasized that this discussion takes place within the framework of Youth Day, as young people are always at the forefront in bringing and accepting changes, and in a transformative moment for Albania in the context of European integration, their active involvement is essential.

H.E. Mr. Reinout Vos, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Albania, in his speech, highlighted that Europe is built on shared values that are not abstract, but guide daily policies. He stated that history has shown that European identity and what makes us call ourselves Europeans is not something rigid and fixed once and for all, but requires the ability to reflect, change, and adapt. In the context of current geopolitical changes, where Europe faces new challenges and has lost parts of its influence, promoting European values and identity remains important—not to encourage extreme nationalism, but to strengthen the principles and values upon which the European project is built. He also emphasized the importance of the diversity of identities within the European Union and Europe itself, which enrich the European project, including the enlargement policy as the only ‘expansion policy,’ where a country takes the initiative to join, fulfilling the established criteria, and is not forced to join. As Mr. Vos stated, history has known empires that functioned through force, violence, or conquest, but not the EU. Furthermore, the Ambassador pointed out that Albanian youth now have more opportunities to engage with European youth through programs offered by the EU, such as Erasmus+, training, studies, and other exchanges. He concluded his speech with the message that we should be proud of Europe, its history, and its development, and continue to promote these values.

Dr. Ines Stasa, lecturer and expert on European affairs, reminded the audience of the importance of European values in transforming societies, focusing on the post-World War II period, when European countries that had once been in conflict chose peace and the establishment of institutions like the European Union to ensure cooperation. She emphasized that when we talk about the EU or Europe, it must be understood that we are not merely referring to a political construct shaped by the institutions in Brussels, but to a much broader project that represents the values and ideas of a United Europe.

In the second part of the meeting, the youth, through their comments, questions, and reflections, shared their expectations for Albania’s EU membership, but also what Albania can offer Europe, as well as the challenges and opportunities they face as young people. In addition to discussions between the youth and the ambassador, a video message was shown, and several articles prepared by the youth on how they perceive the European project were read. They reflected on the similarities and differences between themselves and European youth, the impact of isolation, the need not to be forgotten, and the question of whether embracing a European identity requires renouncing national identity, or if both identities can coexist. They also shared their experiences as students in EU countries and their aspirations for the future, both for themselves and for the further development of democracy and society in Albania.

*This discussion forum took place within the framework of the “Building Partnership on Fundamentals: Empowered CSOs in the EU  accession process” project, with the financial support of the European Union – IPA Civil Society Facility 2021, which is implemented by the European Movement in Albania and in cooperation with the Academy of European Integration and Negotiations (AIEN), Slovak Foreign Policy Association (SFPA) and the Center for Transparency and Freedom of Information (CTFI).