Scholz: We need the fastest possible integration into the EU of the entire Western Balkans

The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, stated today that the rapid integration into the European Union of the six countries of the Western Balkans is of strategic importance for Germany and is a very important task for Europe.

During a press conference in Berlin with the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, Chancellor Scholz emphasized that Albania is making good progress in the integration process.

A meeting of the Berlin Process was decided to be held in Albania in the middle of next October. This is the first time that a meeting of this Process is held in the region.

Germany wants to welcome all the countries of the Western Balkans to the European Union as soon as possible. This is what German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared on Tuesday in Berlin during a joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

“The rapid integration of the six countries of the Western Balkans into the European Union, I emphasize again, is of strategic importance for my government. We hope to welcome them as members of the European Union as soon as possible. Albania’s good progress in the EU membership talks, I believe, is a very good signal for this”, Chancellor Scholz told reporters.

He listed that, among other things, the essence of the European negotiations remains the strengthening of the rule of law, free and independent media, as well as a transparent economic environment with legal certainty.

“My government stands by the continuity of Germany’s loyal and close partnership with Albania on its path to the European Union”, emphasized Mr. Scholz.

He added that “the integration of the Western Balkans is one of the very big tasks that Europe must fulfill now, because the Western Balkans is part of Europe and the European family”

On the other hand, the chancellor also commented on the recent developments in relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

Mr. Scolz said that the Franco-German proposal addressed to the parties is well weighed and has full international support from the USA, the EU, so he believed that this process will soon end successfully.

“I believe that a lot of progress has been made, as can be seen in the public statements by Vucic and Kurti. This is progress compared to past times. This is a plan, that can be implemented, and now it should work. That’s why I expect that we will have good and constructive results soon. I have the impression that there is a great will to make possible what seemed impossible for a long time. It would be good for peace and for the development of Kosovo and Serbia”, declared Chancellor Scholz.

In this conference, it was announced that a meeting of the Berlin Process was held in Tirana on October 16.

This will be the first meeting in the nearly 10-year history of this Process, which will be held in the capital of a Western Balkan country.

“I am happy that Tirana was chosen for the Berlin Process Summit. This summit will continue on the open path, the deepening of the process, will deal with the balance of the achievements of this process, the objectives to be achieved further, as well as strengthen the cooperation in the region”, said Mr. Rama.

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that regional cooperation is the only way, while Germany is an attentive and directly involved partner.