Rome's importance in Tirana's path to Brussels

There are 9 countries on the waiting list to join the European Union.

In stage 2,i.e., with accession negotiations underway, are in order of application date Turkey(1987)North Macedonia(2004), Montenegro (2008) Albania (2009), Serbia (2009),Ukraine(2022) and Moldova (2022).In stage 1, i.e., as candidates, are Bosnia and Herzegovina (2016) and Georgia(2022).

Ukraine , attacked by Russia , and Moldova which is under constant threat from Moscow could have a preferential corridor due to urgent security needs not only of the two countries but also of the internal European Union. Of the other states, Albania is certainly the one that is making the most decisive strides to achieve the goal and is also strategically a key bulwark of geopolitics in the Western Balkan area.

The Albanian economy is the one that has grown the most and the best in the Balkan area and could have an even greater development with the entry into the Union especially not only for cohesion funds funding but also for overcoming customs barriers that weigh heavily on the 'export of Albanian products and burden the prices of goods imported into Albania. 

Collaboration between Brussels and Tirana has been ongoing for some time. The European Commission funds various projects not only cultural but also for the construction of important infrastructure in Albania, such as the modernization of the railway network.

The Government Rama is very committed to speeding up the procedures for joining the EU and expects the Commission and Council to take a less bureaucratic and more attentive view of the major challenges facing the Old Continent.

The European Council likes the resilience and the strong recovery of the Albanian economy. With this in mind, Europe encourages Tirana to further meet the requirements of the EU internal market and cope with competitive pressures and market forces. Cooperation in foreign policy issues is highly valued, particularly for full alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Albania's reform progress is viewed with optimism by the EU, which awaits the opening of the first group of negotiation chapters, which includes topics on the judiciary, fundamental rights, and justice.

Council appreciated the advance steps taken by Albania with regard to the rule of law and the implementation of the reform of the court systems and of the public administration. The fight against corruption and organized crime has achieved important results, but Europe calls for increased efforts in investigative cooperation, including with the European Anti-Fraud Office.

 An important chapter concerns the protection of fundamental rightsincluding media freedom and freedom of expression. and consolidate property rights in a transparent manner.

So the agenda is very rich, the climate is positive, the international situation is pushing for acceleration. Very important in this context is the role being played by Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, head of the European Union's diplomatic delegation in Tirana.

But Italy could and should be doing more to help Albania burn through the stages of EU entry. 

Rome should make available to Tirana its long experience as a founding country its knowledge of the complex inner workings of the Union,its diplomatic clout and capacity to provide Albania with assistance as friend country number 1 , always respecting the autonomy of Albanian institutions.