The EU has been unfair to North Macedonia! They humiliated us! Edi Rama explains

In his speech at this conference, Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on the moment when Albania and North Macedonia came together on the path to EU membership, making each other's journey conditional, something that, according to him, was unfair to both countries.

"Albania has been coercively joined with others many times, they joined us with the Italians, with the Stalinists. Quite suddenly we found ourselves united with RMV, it was not so bad that we could share the gloomy situations with each other waiting for the EU. When I talk about our humiliations, we were denied membership three times, RMV changed its name to follow this, so I stand by everything I said about our Bulgarian friends; history cannot be a reason to stop membership talks for any country", said Rama.

He emphasized that in the past the EU has been unfair to candidate countries such as Albania, when it rejected the recommendations drawn up by the European Commission itself.

"It has been 5 long challenging and not easy years, I stand here before this significant step for the integration of Albania in the EU. Unfortunately, with the help of Vladimir Putin, this process gained a new speed after his aggression in Ukraine, which reminded Europe that you need the Western Balkans. The opening of the chapter group with 5 basic chapters and the criteria marks a historical cornerstone towards the complete European reunification. Yesterday I was in Berlin where I participated in the Berlin Summit and a journalist asked me: Does Albania have a plan B if the EU delays the process again as it has done in the past. The EU has often been unfair to the candidate countries, it was unfair to us when it rejected the recommendations drawn up by its own commission, based on facts, but we cannot have an EU plan when it comes to the rule of law and democracy that does not can be guaranteed outside the EU. Albania has fulfilled all the prerequisites to start this phase of integration", said Rama.

Albania took a step toward joining the EU by starting formal negotiations. But the path ahead is still far from clear. After years stuck in the European Union's waiting room, Albania started formal talks on joining the bloc on Tuesday. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the meeting in Luxembourg was "historic" and "emotional." And, he insisted, there is no turning back.

"Choosing an alternative to full EU membership would be like giving up the way of life we finally choose after enduring ages of darkness under empires and regimes that were imposed on us," Rama told reporters.

"It's a matter of life or death for our dream to leave future generations a country where individual freedom is unquestionable, the rule of law is respected, and democracy functions for everyone."

The EU has a long list of criteria for aspirant members, ranging from functioning democratic institutions to anti-corruption measures and guarantees for press freedom. Membership hopefuls have to prove alignment with standards or implement reforms to achieve them.

Now, Albanian officials start the nitty-gritty of negotiations for the conditions under which the country can join the club.

Albania aiming for 2030
Rama wants to secure his spot at the EU leaders' table by the end of this decade. However, there are no official dates or timelines in the EU accession process, and it tends to take years or even decades.

He acknowledged it's an "ambitious" goal, not least given the EU's history of delaying, disagreeing and dodging serious discussions on enlargement.

EU enlargement was once seen as a long, winding and painful road to nowhere. Michael Emerson, a researcher with the Centre for European Policy Studies, says the bloc has been "pretending the enlargement process is alive" by offering piecemeal integration steps that amount to little more than enhanced partnership agreements that "can go on for as long as the eye can see."

North Macedonia, Albania's eastern neighbor, has been waiting since 2009 for member states to accept the EU executive's recommendations that it begin formal accession talks. Serbia has been negotiating membership details for 10 years, Montenegro for 12.

North Macedonia left waiting in the wings?
However, Emerson remains skeptical of whether EU states will really deliver on their recent promises to speed up enlargement. Albania was once coupled on its path to Brussels with North Macedonia, a country which has even changed its name to satisfy Greece.

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[DJFasko]

Shame To EU, God Bless To Edi Rama, If i was North Macedonia never apply for EU , I will Apply for Brics 100%

[DJFasko]

One True leadership that speaks unest and clear the true, Mr.Rama,
Thank you for your support, Shame for EU, just listen EU 6:00

[goranilieski]

Rama said what our politicians are scared of saying it in front of the EU politicians. Thank you Dear Rama for your honesty and support in this matter and for speaking the truth.

[EverytingYouMiss]

As a Macedonian Edi Rama maybe is the best mind to political knowlage knows what he talks and its all facts. I stand with everthing he says here GOOD TALK Edi Rama THANKS.

[ZoranAnicin]

Mr.Rama,
Thank you for your support ...

[Userfan]

North Macedonia, you deserve to be in this step too. It’s not your fault that you are being held hostage by a ridiculous accession process of the EU nd neighbors that will find fault at everything and blackmail your integrity.

[yballiu]

As an Albania i totally agree with everything this man says

[MileBikovski]

Im optimistic about the Balkans just because there are politicians like mr Edi Rama. Bravo Edi

[Tennis_Expert]

Romania and Bulgaria entered the EU in a much worse state than Macedonia is in now. So, yeah. Rama is right. Good luck Albania - you deserve to be in EU!

[ADINOJ]

Big support for our Macedonian neighbors !🇦🇱🇦🇱 When is enoght is enoght! Bulgaria and Greece should stop ... reaching their countries interests on behalf of non EU country... As an Albanian i would like that Albania PM said NO... if Macedonia is not with us..❤❤

[TheOne-xcri]

Edi Rama is one of the best leaders of the World, a very clever man indeed.
God bless you and and all the Albanian speaking people in Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro as well as Albanians of Albania wherever they are in the world 🎉

[NYCShaolin]

As an American with roots in both Albania and Macedonia I can confirm that Edi Rama is a true leader of both those countries. Most neighboring countries of Macedonia and Albania are jealous of Albania and Macedonia because they know both Albania and Macedonia can become a true force in European Union.

[Gladiator-vgeq]

Spot on Mr Rama, I stand by every word u said

[eastsidaztalestory]

Bulgaria just want garauntees for the Bulgarian minority in Macedonia. They want full recognition and their rights to be protected, which is absolutely normal, but Macedonia doesnt want to do that and dont want to change the constitution. Its not about wat Edi rama says

[dumo]

Respect for Edi Rama for his honour and courage for stating the truth, especially in times when most other people would rejoice their success instead of empathise with the struggle of others. He proves once again that he is true friend of Macedonia and Macedonian people.

[User-x-fkks]

Edi Rama spoke professionally, the EU is afraid of accepting the Republic of Macedonia as a member, so we are already vassals of the EU, the EU does what it wants with us, and treats us as it wants.... yes, the EU wants expansion on imperialist bases and not on a policy on which it itself rests

[IKvsnd]

As a Bulgarian i respect on 100% Albania and our friend Edi Rama in the EU integration. North Macedonia is a danger russian-serbian satelite that doesn't respect the basic human right of the bulgarians in North Macedonia. The history claims are ridiculous and crazy. One day, when the macedonians understand it we will let them in in the EU with our hearth because they are acctually our brothers. 80 years ago on the their territory were only Bulgarian people.

[andromeda-pb]

For over 100 years, a nation on the territory of present-day North Macedonia has been subjected to systematic erasure—physical, but primarily historical and cultural— the Bulgarians. There is a mountain of documents to prove this. Edi Rama recently reduced this issue to stories about mothers who allegedly had affairs with someone, leaving questions about their identities and their children’s origins. This reveals ignorance, a lack of intellectual honesty, and a failure by a Balkan politician to have the courage to speak the truth. The stance that some Western Balkan countries adopt as innocent victims and sufferers is aimed at emotionally manipulating those unfamiliar with the realities of this part of Europe. However, experts know well what game is being played.

[VladKostadinoski]

Long live Albania🇦🇱❤Long live mr.Rama🙌🙌👋👋💪💪🇦🇱🇲🇰🇦🇺❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏

[Stefan-elwl]

The fact itself that someone like Rama lectures us is appalling. He is connected to the mafia. Both countries don’t have a place in EU.