Albania is ready to “do everything possible” to join the European Union, even if the price to pay for joining the club is the temporary suspension of its national veto power during a probationary period.
Edi Rama, the Albanian Prime Minister, will not object to a proposal to temporarily restrict the veto rights of future member states, as suggested by some national governments.
“I support this proposal,†Rama declared before heading to a meeting with the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, on Tuesday evening. Enlargement requires “creative” and “innovative” solutions, because “Europe must face a war on its own soil,” Rama added.
According to some informationEU governments are discussing a plan to suspend new members’ veto power on foreign policy issues, such as sanctions against Russia and other decisions that require unanimity of member states.
Rama assured that he was calm about the temporary restriction of Albania’s voting rights, insisting that Tirana has always been “100% aligned” with EU foreign policy.
« We will not waver, no matter what it takes to adhere », he declared, describing Albania as « Taliban of the EU ».
Kos confirmed that “a wide range of options”, including suspension of the veto, would be examined, although any safeguard measures would only be applied with “all necessary rigor” if future member states broke EU rules.
Any measures to limit voting rights should be carefully designed and temporary, as the EU treaty provisions on membership guarantee equal treatment.
However, in view of the precedents, the gradual integration of the new member states would not pose a legal problem. The new EU countries, mainly from the poorer countries of Central and Eastern Europe, were subject to transitional restrictions on free movement after their accession during all EU enlargements from 2004 onwards.
Pick up the pace, please
Rama urged Brussels to accelerate the pace of enlargement in all areas.
“It’s a very big gamble to wait [la troisième élection présidentielle du pays] without opening accession negotiations with Moldova,” he said, referring to the EU’s inability to officially open concrete accession negotiations with Chisinau, as the country’s progress has been linked to those of neighboring Ukraine.
Rama rejected the idea that the EU should reform itself before expanding to new member states. “It won’t happen like that – it can’t happen like that,” he insisted.
Rama’s comments come as Tirana has shown flexibility on other issues to ensure good relations with the bloc.
Earlier this month, Rama was forced to go back following remarks made by his Minister of Foreign Affairs to Euractiv, who suggested that Albania would not extend the migration agreement with Italy beyond 2030, as it expected to be part of the EU by then.
(bw, mm)
