Costa does not rule out Albania’s accession to the EU by 2030

TIRANA (ANP) – According to Costa, the recent election results show that Albanians want to be part of Europe. The Socialist Party of Rama achieved 52.1 percent of the votes on Sunday, compared to 34.2 percent for a coalition of opposition parties. Rama focused his campaign on European integration.

Rama aims to complete the accession negotiations with the EU by 2027. “It is a very ambitious plan, but also an exceptional opportunity for us. The European Union is more willing than ever to admit new members based on merit and results.”

Albania has been a candidate country since June 2014. Official accession negotiations began in 2022.

The Netherlands is extremely critical of further EU expansion.

Earlier this week, Costa visited five other countries in the Western Balkans that are candidate members of the EU or wish to become so. He started in Serbia and then visited Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.

He concluded his trip in Tirana, where 47 heads of state and government leaders will gather on Friday for the sixth summit of the European Political Community (EPC). Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof is also present there.

(May 15, 2025)