Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha participated in the 12th edition of the “Tirana Connectivity Forum”, a platform for discussions on connectivity, regional cooperation and the European future of the Western Balkans.

In his address, Minister Hoxha stressed that political commitments to the enlargement of the European Union must be accompanied by concrete steps towards the membership of candidate countries, based on a clear roadmap agreed with the EU.

“Albania is doing its part. We are moving forward chapter by chapter, criterion by criterion, reform by reform, with the objective of concluding the accession negotiations by 2027. Because reforms are not conditions imposed from outside; they are investments in a stronger, more democratic and more prosperous Albania. Long before becoming EU standards, they are milestones on our path towards development and modernisation,” said Hoxha.

Minister Hoxha also expressed support for gradual integration, which would enable candidate countries to participate in EU policies and programmes and benefit from the opportunities offered by its market ahead of full membership.

“Through gradual participation in EU policies, the Single Market, joint programmes and strategic projects, we can accelerate convergence while simultaneously strengthening confidence in the enlargement process. This is not, and cannot be, an alternative to full membership, but rather a more credible, pragmatic and sustainable path towards it, to the benefit both of the candidate countries and of the European Union itself,” the Foreign Minister emphasised.