Albania has set an ambitious goal of joining the European Union by 2030, according to Prime Minister Edi Rama. He described his country as “the most Euro-optimistic nation in Europe” during an interview with Euronews. Rama emphasized that the 2030 deadline is not a mere dream but a calculated target based on the progress being made.
The timeline for Albania’s accession is considered assertive by both the Albanian government and the European Commission. Rama referred to it as “ambitious but doable.” The European Commission recently released its annual assessment of EU candidate countries, which was largely positive for Albania. The report highlighted that talks between Albania and Brussels have reached “unprecedented momentum” this year.
Rama noted that Albania’s success in the accession process goes beyond hard work. It also requires commitment from the European Union itself, not just from the candidate countries. He expressed hope that this momentum would not fade and that Albania would finally gain its place at the EU table after years of delays caused by a lack of interest from Brussels and individual member states.
“Unfortunately, an aggression was needed on European soil, a military aggression, to make Brussels wake up,” Rama said, referring to the acceleration in accession talks since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
No Lectures on the Fight Against Corruption
One of the key challenges Albania has faced on its path to EU membership is the fight against corruption. Rama stated that while the country accepts support and partnership, it does not accept lectures from anyone regarding the fight against corruption.
Since presenting its EU candidacy, Albania has introduced several measures to combat corruption. These include the establishment of a special anti-corruption body called SPAK, which addresses corruption and organized crime at the highest levels of government.
As part of these efforts, Rama’s government is using AI-powered technology. This innovation is embodied by an AI-generated avatar named ‘Diella,’ who serves as a “virtual minister” tasked with improving public procurement and eliminating corruption.
“Diella, she is the product of a systemic fight, which is not just about fighting cases and fighting in the court of law, but which is about fighting through modernisation,” Rama explained.
Future Plans and Innovations
Rama revealed that by 2027, Albania will implement a fully AI-powered public procurement system designed to deliver “unprecedented levels of speed, transparency and accuracy.”
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize public administration and ensure that Albania meets the high standards required for EU membership. The use of AI in public procurement is expected to reduce opportunities for corruption and increase efficiency in government operations.
