Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha took part in the international conference “EU Enlargement: Assessing New Concepts and Prospects for 2027”, organised by the German Council on Foreign Relations.
During his speech, Hoxha stressed that geopolitical realities have made enlargement a strategic and security necessity for Europe. However, according to the Foreign Minister, this cannot come at the expense of content and standards, because reforms remain just as essential as before.
“We are not carrying out reforms simply to become European, but because we are Europeans and because our citizens deserve institutions that function according to European standards“, Hoxha stressed.
Albania, according to the Foreign Minister, does not seek a shortcut to EU membership.
“EU membership is earned on merit; it is not granted as an act of solidarity. It is earned reform by reform, chapter by chapter, standard by standard, by building functional, democratic and accountable institutions, which Albania needs for itself and which EU membership requires. Albania is doing exactly this: reform, implementation, accountability and evaluation based on merit. But a merit-based process must work in both directions. When candidate countries deliver results, Europe must respond. When reforms produce results, they must translate into concrete progress.
Because enlargement is not simply about a bigger European Union. It is about a stronger, safer and, ultimately, fully united Europe“, Hoxha said.
