*This news was originally published at the Official Website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
8 October, 2021
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, participated in the 7th edition of the ‘Tirana Connectivity Forum’, where she emphasized that the potential presented by the Open Balkans is one of the biggest advantages that the region can offer. According to Minister Xhaçka, Albania and the Western Balkans have always served as a bridge between east and west that has brought development.
“Albania and the Western Balkans want to become part of the European Union. In Albania the support for European integration is at levels that today are unimaginable for any member state. We are working hard, to do everything to narrow the gap of development, modernization, rule of law that separates us from the EU. A lot of work and a lot of progress has been made, which are recognized today even by those who were once the most skeptical about the achievements of Albania and the Western Balkans. So, what has changed is not our desire and commitment to the European dream. “What has changed is that we have realized that we can no longer expect from the EU alone and that the paradigm that has defined our relation with the EU must change.”
Minister Xhaçka underlined Corridor VIII, as one of the most interesting ideas in the direction of interconnection. According to her, the idea of corridors should be reconceptualized as corridors of economic and cultural integration, synergy and exchanges.
