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| Edi Rama and Oliver Varhelyi (archive) |
Prime Minister Edi Rama will host tomorrow in Tirana an informal meeting with the leaders of the region and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood, Oliver Varhelyi, local media say.
This meeting will discuss the Berlin Process and the next meeting scheduled to take place in October in Tirana.
The informal meeting tomorrow will be held at Villa 30, and at 13:00, an informal lunch will also be held.
The enlargement of the European Union with Balkan countries has been a significant and complex process that has been on the EU's agenda for several years. The Balkans region, comprising countries such as Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, has been striving to become part of the EU, seeking integration into the European family of nations.
Enlargement is a crucial policy of the EU, aimed at promoting stability, peace, and economic development in candidate countries. It also aims to strengthen democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and the rule of law in aspiring member states. For the countries in the Balkans, EU membership represents an opportunity for socio-economic advancement, access to a larger market, increased foreign investment, and improved infrastructure and standards of living.
The accession process for each candidate country is a rigorous and lengthy one, involving a series of steps and criteria that need to be met. These include political, economic, and legislative reforms, institutional capacity building, and alignment with the EU's acquis communautaire, which are the laws and regulations that new members must adopt.
While progress has been made in some areas, there have been challenges and obstacles along the way. Issues like corruption, organized crime, weak rule of law, and political instability have been points of concern and have required sustained efforts from the candidate countries.
The EU's commitment to the enlargement process has been reaffirmed multiple times, and the Western Balkans have been acknowledged as a part of Europe's future. However, the process has also faced occasional slowdowns and hesitations within the EU member states, which have their own considerations about the timing and conditions for enlargement.
Overall, the EU's enlargement with Balkan countries remains an ongoing process, with varying degrees of progress for each candidate nation. It is a journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and collaboration from both the aspiring member states and the European Union. While challenges exist, the prospect of bringing the Balkan countries into the EU fold holds the promise of a more united, stable, and prosperous Europe..