In an interview on the program "Off the Record" on A2 CNN, Milva Ekonomi, the former Minister for State and Government Standards, commented on the alarming figures regarding Albanian emigration during the governance of the Socialist Party. She was confronted with a direct question by moderator Andrea Danglli about the abandonment of Albanian passports by 6500 citizens and the emigration of 429,000 others from Albania between 2011 and 2023.
Danglli asked Ekonomi whether it was correct for the Socialist Party to promise Albanians a European passport by 2030 while official figures show that a significant number of citizens have already given up their Albanian passports and emigrated abroad.
In her response, Ekonomi stated that Albanians should not be deprived of their right to free movement. She emphasized that, once Albania joins the European Union, Albanians will have the opportunity to travel and settle more easily in European countries, benefiting from the four fundamental freedoms of the EU: free movement of persons, capital, services, and investments.
"Once you become part of the EU, you will have a European passport, which acknowledges these freedoms more clearly. Albania will become an equal country with others, and we will see in the future whether it will be Albanians moving or if Italians and Dutch will come," Ekonomi explained, highlighting that this process will unfold over time.
Regarding the abandonment of Albanian citizenship by some citizens, Ekonomi explained that in certain cases, they are forced to do so because of the rules in the countries where they have emigrated and built their lives. According to her, many are compelled to acquire citizenship in the country they live in due to regulations requiring them to become nationals after fulfilling certain conditions, such as paying taxes and residing in a country for a specified period.
"There are countries that do not allow dual citizenship, such as Germany and Austria, and for this reason, many Albanians are forced to make the choice of nationality, giving up their Albanian passport," Ekonomi said.
In a further question from moderator Danglli regarding the promise of EU membership and its potential impact on emigration, Ekonomi emphasized that this process would not stop Albanian emigration. She pointed out that the trend of emigration has remained steady over different periods and has not significantly changed, despite promises of a European passport.
"Net migration, meaning the net number of people leaving, has been around 47,000-48,000 Albanians leaving every year from 2001-2011, and 41,000 Albanians every year from 2011-2023. These numbers are almost the same for both periods, which shows that even with a European passport, Albanians will have the right to free movement, but this will not stop migration for work, nor the arrival of foreigners who will come to live in Albania," Ekonomi concluded.
These comments shed light on the broader picture of Albanian emigration and the potential impact of EU integration, a topic that remains hotly debated in Albanian politics.