Romano Prodi, the former Prime Minister of Italy and a prominent figure in Italian politics, has voiced his concerns about the European Union's delay in addressing the issue of expansion, particularly in relation to Albania. He asserts that there is no doubt whatsoever that Albania has always belonged within the European Union.
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| Romano Prodi pointing with the index finger of his right hand (archive) |
During an interview with Italian media, Prodi also discussed the expansion of the Union and the current approach being taken, emphasizing the crucial need for internal peace on this matter.
Furthermore, he highlights the importance of considering the elections within the EU.
Prodi reminisces about his university years, drawing an asymmetrical parallel between what was known as the "Gorizia Border" in Slovenia, where a wire fence with spikes separated the "European" world from the eastern one.
However, in 2004, this barbed wire network fell, and Prodi also recalls the celebration of Slovenia's accession to the EU at that time.
Moreover, he reflects on the Western Balkans, aiming to bring a paradigm of what could be mirrored today with the model the EU is pursuing.
"I have always believed that the former Yugoslavia and Albania were part of Europe," added Prodi, speaking about expansion. "We are very late due to delays in negotiations caused by France with Albania and North Macedonia. It's a process that needs to move forward. There is no obstacle because these countries do not have such great economic weight to create concerns or problems. Of course, they should be accompanied by a change in European institutions, but this should have been done with the expansion of 2004, and it didn't happen."
Given the current situation, mentioning the war in Ukraine and Gaza, Prodi emphasizes that it is crucial to spread the message of unity, aiming for broad peace.
According to him, it is time to show that the world can change, not only for the worse but also for the better.
"Today, it is symbolically vital to show how the EU has created peace within itself. Then we move on to the European elections," he concluded.