Albania Blames Likely Accession Talks ‘No’ on Divided EU

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Photo: EPA-EFE/ANDREJ CUKIC

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has tried to counter criticism over the expected decision by the European Council on October 18 not to open EU membership negotiations with Tirana - claiming that any such decision will be the result of EU internal disagreements. It would not be related to the progress achieved by his country toward fulfilling the criteria, Rama maintained.

Speaking on a Facebook post, Rama told supporters on Tuesday that France was blocking the opening of negotiations because President Emanuel Macron was demanding that EU reform must precede further enlargement.

"Emanuel Macron is not ready for a stronger push for the European integration of the Western Balkans without pushing first for the reformation of the Union," Rama said.

"It is very important to understand that this is not an approach against Albania and North Macedonia, or against the perspective of the Western Balkans in general," Rama stressed.

EU ministers on Tuesday failed to agree on whether to start talks that could lead to Albania and North Macedonia joining the EU, mainly because France opposes any agreement until "the entire accession process is reformed" .

Rama insisted that the expected negative decision had nothing to do with the state of preparedness of Albania or the fulfillment of conditions by his government. "This has nothing to do with what we have done or not done to deserve a yes," he said.

Acting Foreign Minister Gent Cakaj went further by posting a message in English on Twitter, saying the credibility of the EU was now in danger and warning about a boost for its "strategic rivals" in the Western Balkans.

"We don't need a narrow, insular, inward-looking &...