Regional Cooperation & EU-Integration

The photo shows the flags of the European Union and its Member States in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. — Creator: Outside view of the flas of the European Union is Strasbourg by European Parliament I Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Since 2014 Albania is an official candidate state for accession to the European Union. The positive response to Albania's candidacy for EU membership has led the country to a preparation phase for the negotiations that require further support for the European integration process. There is a need to deepen the knowledge of the Albanian population about the integration process and the associated impact on EU membership. With relevant publications and open discussions FES Tirana educates the public about the progress within the accession process.

When it comes to EU member states` security and defense policies a renewed commitment can be observed within the European Union. It is now one of the big priorities of the EU to strengthen the European security and defense capabilities – considering not only the policy framework but also relevant foundations. In Albania, we see the importance to promote discussions about security issues through a public dialog in which relevant national and international actors in the field are included.

Ultimately Albania must be a leader within the region when it comes to providing concrete contributions to security and stability in the Western Balkans region.