Prime Minister Edi Rama has not spared Wednesday criticism for the European Union, which decided not to open negotiations for Albania and North Macedonia again. He has claimed that the EU has failed to keep its promise and have the right attitude to Albania.

At a joint conference with his North Macedonia counterpart, Zoran Zaev, PM Rama also noted that the EU can set tasks for integration, deadlines for these tasks, but it cannot change Albania’s location in the middle of Europe, neither its culture and European identity, nor the future it as a European, in European country.

“Coincidence brought us to the same day when we had to talk about what did not happen in Brussels, to be here in an important economic forum. I believe that this is an opportunity to say that whatever happens or does not happen in Brussels, we are determined to continue with all our might to increase the economy, well-being and pride of our peoples.

The EU can set tasks for integration, it can set deadlines for these tasks, dates, but the EU cannot set neither our location in the middle of Europe, nor our culture and our European identity, nor the future of our country as European, in the European family and with European economic and political standards.

Albania has made its choice since the time of Gjergj Kastriot and has reconfirmed this with the era of the National Renaissance, the sun rises where it sets for Albanians. God has enabled us to have our land in the heart of Europe.

We have a difference with Zoran, because for me nothing else has happened except that the EU has failed to keep its promise and be in the right position. Life goes on and progress will continue with all its might, as it is not imposed from outside, but from within us”, marked the Premier among other things.

On Tuesday, the Vice President of the European Union and Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal, Ana Paula Zacarias confirmed that there will be no opening of accession negotiations for Albania and North Macedonia, and the date of the first intergovernmental conference (IGC) will be postponed.

Reason behind this stalemate on Albania’s and North Macedonia’s path to EU integration has been the veto of Bulgaria. The latter is upholding its veto on the start of accession talks with North Macedonia, despite mounting pressure from the European Union.