Albania and Northern Macedonia, although meeting all the conditions, have not yet started negotiations for admission as EU candidates, due to the Bulgarian veto. Bulgaria has blocked the integration process for northern Macedonia due to a dispute between the two countries over the language issue and its historical past.
The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, also expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of progress on the road to EU membership. " Let me express my regret for the EU, I feel sorry for them, I hope we can help ," he said yesterday. Rama added that he did not hope for much progress in this issue before coming to the summit.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview given to the Italian media Corriere Della Sera , Rama was asked when he really thinks that Albania can join the EU?
“ Honestly? Impossible to say. "Predicting EU movements is like predicting major natural disasters, " Rama said.
Another question posed to the Prime Minister was whether the Balkans are endangered by infiltration from Russia and China with this stalemate?
" There is no doubt that the area represents a weak point of the continent in terms of the risk of penetration by other entities. "If we look at Russia, it is clear that it has its own ways and channels that make the Balkans vulnerable: that is why we and other countries in the region are working for an open Balkans waiting to join the EU ." of government.
Putin will be happy with this stalemate…?
"Putin may not be in good health, but the European Union is no better." added Rama.