What a pleasure to be back in Albania and begin my traditional annual tour of the Western Balkans in Tirana.
My first message is very clear: Albania is on the right track towards the European Union. You have come a long way, you have made progress. And I want to emphasise that there has been a stunning and outstanding record speed acceleration in the last three to four years. Five of six negotiating clusters are already open. We plan to open the last one this autumn. I know the personal effort you, Prime Minister, and your team, have invested in this journey. Your goal is to close negotiations by 2027. This is ambitious but we like ambition. And let me assure you: we will be with you every step of the way.
Because the geopolitical momentum is now. Russia's aggression against Ukraine has reshaped our continent. Every European nation must choose its place. Albania has made its choice, very clearly. You are fully aligned with the European Union's foreign and security policy. Together we are acting as one.
My third message is that getting closer is not only about geopolitics. It is also smart business. We will discuss this at the investment conference later today. Two years ago, we launched the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The principle is very straightforward. Your economy gains access to our Single Market and new EU investments. In exchange, you deliver on key reforms. This is how you get a level playing field with the EU. The door of areas of our Single Market is open to your companies and our companies gain a bigger common market. Everybody wins.
The Growth Plan has the potential to double the economy of the Western Balkans in this decade. And it is already delivering. Let me give you three precise examples. First, you have made strong progress in key reforms. Thanks to this, I am glad to announce the disbursement of nearly EUR 100 million. Now it is about implementation and you I know you are well on track. This is how you can get all the money from your Growth Plan. We are talking about almost one billion. Second, the Single Euro Payments Area, SEPA. Two years ago, we first spoke about Albania joining the SEPA. At that time, this looked as an extremely ambitious and challenging project. But you have made it happen in record time. Since last week, transfers of money between Albania and the EU are safer and especially much, much cheaper. A big advantage for the citizens and the companies. My third example is roaming. In 2023 here in Tirana, we achieved a landmark agreement with operators. You remember that. Next year, we will abolish roaming charges between Albania and the EU. This is good for business, good for tourism, and especially good for bringing our people together.
Dear Edi,
My final message is this. Perhaps the strongest case for enlargement is not economic or geopolitical. It is the will of the people. Albanians want Europe. A recent poll shows that if a referendum were held today, 92% of Albanians would vote for EU membership. And across our continent, young Europeans are with us and with you. Two-thirds of those aged 15 to 40 support enlargement. This is the clearest signal of all. Our young generations want to live in a stronger, safer, united European Union.
So dear Edi, I wish you every success as you continue on your EU path. You can count on me to support you every step of the way.
