The Vice chairman of the European Integration Council, Taulant Balla, has stated that the war in Ukraine should make the European Union seriously consider the membership of the Western Balkan countries in the union. 

During his speech at the "National Integration Council", Balla stressed that Albania has only one plan and it is the country's membership in the European Union. 

He said that "the EU should think seriously, today and not tomorrow, that the countries of the Western Balkans have the opportunity to access structural funds, social cohesion and the labour market. We want these three as the first phase of membership". 

"We have been told for 4 years that the First Intergovernmental Conference will be held, so if we really understood something that happened in Ukraine, I believe that today more than ever the United Europe should think of when the countries of the Western Balkans can actually become members. We will do our homework, we only have plan A, which is EU membership, Albania has no plan B. 

If I were to make it a little easier by knowing and understanding the membership process, the EU should think seriously today and not tomorrow that the countries of the Western Balkans have the opportunity to access structural funds, social cohesion and the labour market. These three we want as the first stage of membership. Then, being in the European Council to put a veto on another neighbour country, we do not want it at all, keep it. Neither to be in the European Parliament, but if you consider giving us those three things I mentioned earlier, as soon as possible, it would be very good", said Taulant Balla.