Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has given encouraging signals about the progress of the accession process of candidate countries, singling out Albania as one of the cases that is progressing steadily.
In an interview with the BBC, Kos stressed that Albania is making good progress in the European integration process. This statement comes at a time when EU enlargement is returning to focus as a strategic priority for the stability and security of the continent.
She also underlined that during her mandate as Commissioner, new memberships in the European Union are expected, if candidate countries continue with the pace of reforms.
“I am very happy that the citizens of Iceland will decide at the end of August whether to enter into membership negotiations, as they are already very integrated into the EU, the common market and the Schengen area.
This could be, if the citizens say yes, perhaps the fastest process ever. But we should not forget that we have Montenegro, which is the most advanced.
“We have Albania, which is doing well, and Moldova. So, these three countries and maybe Ukraine. If they push forward with reforms, I hope that during my mandate we will have a new member state,” said Commissioner Kos.
Albania remains an important progress story for the Western Balkans. Positive assessments from the highest levels of European institutions show that the country is on a steady trajectory towards full integration.
If reforms continue with the same intensity, Albania has real potential to be among the countries that will benefit from the new phase of European Union enlargement, bringing the prospect of full membership closer.