MEPs welcome accession negotiations with Albania. In the 2022 draft report on Albania, MEPs welcome the country’s commitment to EU integration, and describe it as a reliable foreign policy partner and an important geopolitical ally. The accession negotiations with Albania were formally opened in July 2022. Opening statement by Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

Enlargement to Albania (T)

EU - Albania (T)

SANTOS, Isabel (S&D, PT)

VÁRHELYI, Olivér (HU, EC)

2022 Report on Albania: Opening statement by Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&amp;D, PT), Rapporteur, Thank you, Madam President, Mr. Commissioner, colleagues, allow me to address you all. And whilst I do so, I also address the Albanian people. They have courageously and with determination, persevered on the path to Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, Last year, when we debated this annual report, we faced a very different panorama to what we are looking at today. It was darker given the injustices. That meant that the first intergovernmental conference was delayed. Now, we're looking at the present and the future with new hope.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, The screening process is moving forward swiftly and it is expected to be completed in record time, in 13 months. Given the level of commitment and the ability to respond, which has been demonstrated and to catch up because of problems beyond their control, the year 2030 has been set as the target year for concluding the accession process. There is no time to lose.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, This report covers a number of reforms that are underway and we have highlighted a few that we feel are important. We must see continued reforms in the areas of rule of law and justice. We they must deal with the lack of human resources to improve citizens access to justice.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, The fight against corruption and organised crime must be pursued, and it does continue to pose challenges. There must be a continuous process to strengthen transparency of the institutions and to strengthen democracy.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, There have been legislative advances in terms of protecting minorities. These, however, must be translated into real protection and inclusion of the LGTBIQ+ communities of Roma and the Egyptian community. We reiterate the need to withdraw the anti-slander law. Freedom to exercise eternity, activities must be promoted and protected.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, We welcome the diversification of energy sources and the transition to renewable energies, particularly solar and wind energy, and expedited approval of the support package to the Balkans. The River Vjosa Park has been created, that is the first of its kind in Europe. But, we do need to see strengthened environmental policies. We must demand this.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, When it comes to foreign policy, we mustn't forget that these are critical times when Albania has demonstrated itself as a reliable partner, which is aligned with European Security and Defence policy, including the role it has played at the UN Security Council.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, The youth will play a significant role in the European future of Albania. And that is why it is important to involve youth in decision making now. The accession process represents a social project. Everybody must be involved. Civil society, organisations, individuals.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, The process also requires a strengthening of inter-party dialogue to overcome the polarisation that has marked political life in the country and which continues to challenge it. This process is underway, reforms are being implemented.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Isabel SANTOS (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, It is time to go beyond mere obliging by commitments. It is time to do more and to do better and to build an inspiring vision for an European future for Albania.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Madam President, Honourable Members, I want to thank our Rapporteur, Madame Santos, for the report and the European Parliament for the continued support provided to the EU path of Albania.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, From day one, this Commission, the Western Balkans have been our priority. This common work and commitment have brought progress. Since last year's debate, there is a fundamental development. Nearly a year ago, we opened accession negotiations with Albania.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, This was a major step for the country and a clear recognition of Albania's progress in advancing on its EU reform agenda. The screening process is well on track. Delegations from Albania come well-prepared and actively engage in the discussions. So, the screening is proceeding smoothly and the Commission will present its screening report to the Council within days.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, We took a positive note that the recent local elections on the 14th of May were held in calm and transparent manner on the day of the vote. According to the preliminary findings and conclusions of what we see or hear, the extended Election Observation Mission. The local elections were well administered, competitive and held with the participation of the country's key political forces.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, This is a significant improvement compared to the boycott that we have seen in 2019 and local elections. The Commission encourages the Albanian authorities to address all outstanding recommendations of the OSCE or their as well as from the Venice Commission in this regard.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, To this end, we call for constructive and inclusive political dialogue from all sides. The Commission concluded in its last year's report that the functioning of the judiciary in Albania is moderately prepared. Albania's legislative and institutional framework on judiciary has a high level of alignment with the European standards.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Since then, the vetting process is proceeding well, with 82% of the magistrates now vetted in first instance following new appointments of judges. The High Court has reduced the backlog of the cases and reached the quorum to make the appointments to the Constitutional Court.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, The last vacancy at the Constitutional Court was filled in December last year. On fundamental rights, albania maintained overall a positive direction with an overall robust legislative framework in place. However, there is still a need to continue progress when it comes to the implementation of the fundamental rights, especially in the areas of minority rights, property rights and media freedom, as well as the protection of personal data.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Some progress has also been made on the fight against organised crime and the fight against corruption. The specialised structure for anti-corruption and organised crime, called SPAK, delivered several important decisions affecting also high level officials, including a former prosecutor general and we expect continued progress in developing a strong track record on final convictions in corruption cases, notably at high level and in organised crime cases.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Further, let me again commend Albania's continued alignment with the EU's restrictive measures and sanctions against Russia, maintaining 100% alignment to our common Foreign and Security policy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Albania continues to use its ongoing term in the U.N. Security Council to respond to the crisis along like minded countries. This proves that Albania has shown its determination to advance on the EU path and is a reliable partner.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, The European Union has been the most important partner of Albania. Albania has received continuous financial support with the aim to boost its resilience, including through the Economic and Investment plan, and lately through our Energy Support package.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Allow me a short update on this one, the Energy Support package. Between February and May this year, we have disbursed 90% of the €500 million budget support to mitigate the increase of energy costs, both for small and medium sized enterprises and also to vulnerable households in the Western Balkans.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, In this context, Albania received €72 million this spring to subsidise energy prices for households and for the SMEs, and to provide financial aid to the vulnerable persons and to diversify its energy sources through new wind and solar investments.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Albania has come a long way on its path towards the European Union, showing persistence in pursuing difficult reforms in the interest of the Albanian people. We would like to see the country entering the next phase of the accession process.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Notably, we would like to have the next intergovernmental conference to open the first cluster on fundamentals still this year. Thank you very much.