The expansion of the European Union has become a “geopolitical necessity” due to the large-scale Russian aggression war against Ukraine. This was stated by Danish Minister Marie Bjerre (European Affairs) on Tuesday.
BRUSSELS (ANP) – “We must continue with enlargement for a stronger and safer EU. And that is exactly why enlargement is a top priority for the Danish EU presidency,” said the minister at a press conference following new accession talks with Albania.
Albania aims to complete the accession negotiations with the EU by 2027. For a candidate country to join the EU, it must meet a vast number of requirements in various areas, such as democracy, independent judiciary, finances, and freedom of expression. Albania needs to reform in many areas and has been working on this for quite some time.
“The speed at which Albania is progressing is truly impressive,” said Commissioner Marta Kos (Enlargement).
The Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama knows that his country still has a lot to do, but Albania wants to belong to the EU. “For the first time in history, we finally have the freedom to choose who we want to marry,” he said, referring to the turbulent history of the country that has been oppressed for centuries by various empires, such as the Ottoman Empire. After World War II, the country was led by the communist dictator Enver Hoxha.
The EU is “a realm we want to be part of, a realm of rights and security, where our people can finally be assured that their freedom and rights will not be taken away by anyone,” said Rama.
Other Balkan countries also want to join the EU. The EU wants to draw them in to prevent them from falling under Russian influence.
(September 17, 2025)
