News 24 – Gjipali: When will Albania become a member of the EU?, 31 October 2024

In a statement regarding the publication of the European Commission’s annual report on Albania for 2024, Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director of EMA, expressed a positive outlook and emphasized the importance of maintaining this perspective in the coming years. The report does not highlight any new issues but focuses on areas with little or no progress, such as media freedom, which remains stagnant and requires more effort. Additionally, chapters where Albania has not seen positive developments, such as food security and consumer protection, demand greater attention, as these significant problems are not being addressed at the necessary pace and level by the Albanian administration. Specific chapters, such as the Right of establishment and freedom to provide services, as well as legislation for commercial companies, need to be aligned with European legislative standards. Furthermore, Gjipali noted positive assessments of the judicial system; the completion of the vetting process is expected within this year, and the appointments of non-judges to important judicial structures, such as the High Council of Justice (KLP) and the High Inspectorate of Justice (KLGJ), must be made free from political influence to ensure the proper functioning of these institutions. Relating to the need for a swift integration process into the EU, political dialogue, a functional parliament, and the filling of vacant positions in institutions are crucial. Albania can accelerate this process if there is political will, technical capacity, and sufficient funding. All of these elements constitute an ambitious project, but Albania can achieve it with strong commitment from the administration, political actors, and interest groups that need to be involved to ensure both speed and quality in the process. Concerning the geopolitical situation, including the war in Ukraine, Gjipali explains that this impacts the predictability of the integration process. While the war in Ukraine has positively affected the integration of Albania and other Western Balkan countries into the European Union, Gjipali expresses optimism about the possibility of completing the process by 2030, but emphasizes the need for strong commitment from all parties involved.

News 24 – Gjipali: When will Albania become a member of the EU?, 31 October 2024