From the conference “The Growth Plan of the Western Balkans and the Fastest Integration in the EU”, Prime Minister Edi Rama criticized the EU countries regarding integration.
“I would like to thank O’Brien, our friends, and with this he emphasizes the importance that this initiative has, not only for our countries, but also for stability, peace and prosperity.
I would like to thank, Koopman, I thank him for wanting to encourage and push this process forward. A year ago in Tirana he had to deal with a kind of melancholy on my part regarding the EU and he was really patient and listened to me.
The fact that the integration process so far… I say the problem between what the member countries get and what we get is depressing. Convergence is depressing and that is a fact. A neighboring country that is in the EU gets 400 thousand per citizen, while we get 130. This is the problem, maybe we are not the best you can find in Europe, but still there is desperation at this point.
This has to do with the different ways we are seen or understood. Europeans without the union is important for us and I would say meanwhile it is a big challenge, because if they really want to become part of this family. When I say this I mean if you are willing to give something for yourself, not just play games.
Can you imagine where we could be if the EU could be more serious. It’s a process that happens once a year, one day, that’s why we started with the Open Balkans, it was kind of for daily projects, it was a goal for the struggle of strength. While we wait, let’s join ourselves. Everyone says no, no,” said Rama.
