The member of the German Bundestag, at the same time the rapporteur for the Western Balkans in the Bundestag, Adis Ahmetovic, said that Albania and North Macedonia have done their duties, so according to him, the EU should also do its duties to open up to these two countries the path of European integration.
In a press conference after the meeting with the head of the parliamentary group of the SP, Taulant Balla, the German MP said that Germany, but also the EU, are working hard to open negotiations with Albania next week, just as they are working on liberalization. of visas.
"It is a great honor to be in Tirana today. It's the first time for me. I thank the Parliament of Albania for standing by Ukraine, clearly showing its stance against Russia. Giving a clear position and signal for the European position on this matter. We, as the new German government and as a social democratic party, see this country as a member of the EU. Three weeks ago we had a conference on the European future of the Western Balkans. I am a critic myself. We had a historic opportunity to grant visa liberalization to Kosovo, to support North Macedonia and especially Albania for the opening of negotiations, as well as to help Montenegro close all chapters, but we lost this chance. We, as Germany, will work so that Albania can start negotiations next week. You all deserve to be part of the EU.
I say it personally. My family is originally from the Western Balkans, I know the mentality, and I think that the mentality of the Western Balkans is the Albanian mentality, and all this is very close to the mentality of the EU. I think that Albania can bring a lot of dynamics to the EU, so you have our support. Trust me we are working hard on this. Tomorrow, after a long day in Albania, I will also visit North Macedonia, to support the government and convince them to reach a compromise. We need Albania and North Macedonia in the EU.
We want to work for visa liberalization for Kosovo. Many people from Kosovo are watching this conference and I want to give them a clear signal that we are working on visas. As Albania, North Macedonia or even Kosovo have done their tasks, we too must do ours. For the Berlin process, we want an economic process to start this year, not only a political one", said the German MP.