Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Sunday that significant progress on strengthening the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) for the Western Balkans is within reach. The enhancement of CEFTA is seen as vital for boosting regional cooperation and aligning the Western Balkan countries with European Union standards as Albania prepares for potential EU membership by 2030.
Speaking in an interview ahead of a key Western Balkans summit in Berlin, hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Rama emphasized the importance of improving the CEFTA mechanism. "Tomorrow it will be important to...fix the CEFTA mechanism," he noted, highlighting the agreement's role in facilitating economic integration and cooperation among the region’s nations.
The summit, part of the Berlin Process, brings together leaders from Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. This initiative, launched in 2014, seeks to integrate the Western Balkans into EU-compatible frameworks, promoting stability and economic cooperation.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also contributed to progress in the region, meeting with foreign ministers from the six countries last week. Baerbock noted advancements in resolving long-standing tensions between Serbia and Kosovo and emphasized improved movement of people, goods, and services. She also highlighted efforts to enhance travel opportunities for young people and mutual recognition of professional qualifications, which are key to the region's economic and social development.
The EU has been working to bring greater stability to the Western Balkans, a region still marked by post-conflict tensions following the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. The EU's efforts also aim to prevent external influences, particularly from Moscow, from destabilizing the region and undermining its path toward integration with Europe.
Rama, who plans to run for a fourth term in 2025, also addressed migration issues, noting that Albania has an agreement with Italy to host refugees arriving there in reception centers. This deal is intended to help control irregular migration into the EU. However, when asked about the possibility of a similar arrangement with Germany, Rama indicated that Albania lacks the capacity to expand the program at present, stating, "Germany has to find another partner."
As Albania and the Western Balkans continue their efforts to align with EU standards, the upcoming Berlin summit is expected to be a pivotal moment for advancing the region's integration into the broader European framework.
