The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, said Albania should become part of the bloc by 2030.
The first phase of the EU's membership negotiations with Albania began today in Luxembourg.
In the Western Balkan nation's quest to join the bloc, the Accession Conference with Albania, which was held at the ministerial level, is in its second meeting.
On behalf of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, led the EU mission, while Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, led the Albanian delegation.
We are now on the way up with clear ideas, with a strong will, and there is no doubt that we will achieve what should be achieved, which means that Albania should join the EU by 2030.
--Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama
Albania does not belong to the Schengen Zone or the European Union. In 2009, the nation formally applied to join the European Union.
In 2014, the Western Balkan nation became a contender. The rule of law and respect for human and minority rights are among the areas where the nation still needs to improve, according to the Commission's most recent progress report.
The accession negotiations between Albania and North Macedonia began in 2022. In July 2022, the inaugural Intergovernmental Conference took place in Brussels.
Nevertheless, the EU has determined that Albania should pursue EU membership on its own.