00:00 "Countries move forward when they cooperate, when they come together, when they work together."
00:07 "I think it`s a good thing for our country, for the people of this country, especially for us."
00:12 "It`s important to have a little bit more patience in order to have our economy thriving."
00:16 For over a decade, Albania has been pushing to be part of the world`s biggest market, making slow progress.
00:23 But is that about to change? Russia`s invasion of Ukraine has breathed new life into the EU`s enlargement process.
00:31 So, in this episode, we`ve come to the Balkan country to find out how close it is to joining the EU.
00:37 What economic criteria will it need to meet?
00:40 Is it really ready? And perhaps most important of all, if Albania were allowed in, who would actually benefit?
00:47 Welcome to "Real Economy."
00:50 Albania has emerged as one of the strong economic performers in the Western Balkans.
00:58 Despite being hit by a major earthquake in 2019, the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine,
01:04 its economy enjoyed a robust recovery in 2021 that continued into 2022.
01:10 Real GDP growth this year is forecast at 3.3 percent.
01:15 That strength is due in part to a tourist and construction boom, but it`s also because of small companies like Timac.
01:23 The firm produces emergency vehicles and already exports to the EU,
01:27 but its CEO says many of the hurdles it faces will be removed if Albania joined the bloc.
01:33 Now, we cannot enter very easily to EU market.
01:37 Some of the biggest challenge are the custom issues and the standard documentations from EU.
01:43 When a client wants to buy from us, they have to pay also extra custom charges.
01:48 And sometimes this is the reason why they don`t choose us.
01:51 The EU`s latest progress report shows Albania has a moderate to good level of preparation
01:58 on developing a functioning market economy.
02:01 This expert reckons one of the big challenges Albania will face going forward is aligning
02:06 with the EU`s long-term strategic goals.
02:09 The challenge of Albanian economy in the framework of European integration is how Albania can
02:16 integrate economic development policies with the big lines of European economic policies,
02:23 including, for example, the energy transition policies, environmental policies,
02:28 transport policies or other social, fiscal and budgetary policies.
02:32 Investment in infrastructure is one of the most visible ways Albania is putting its economy
02:38 on track to join Europe.
02:40 The country`s railway network is being completely overhauled with EU support.
02:44 That should drive domestic growth and connect Albania to the rest of the Balkans and Europe.
02:50 Once finished, this stretch between Durres and Tirana, Albania`s two biggest cities,
02:55 will cut times to around 20 minutes.
02:58 Connectivity is the most important aspect.
03:04 You can imagine the impact connecting these biggest poles, port, airport and Tirana city
03:11 center, where we have the public transport terminal, which will gather all the infrastructures
03:16 in one hub.
03:18 Tirana began talks with Brussels in July 2022.
03:21 The big question now is when will Albania`s European dream become a reality.
03:30 In a moment, I`ll speak to Albania`s prime minister, Eddie Rama, about his country`s
03:34 bid to join the EU.
03:35 But before all that, let`s take a look at some of the criteria it needs to meet in our
03:40 crash course.
03:41 Albania is one of nine countries that want to join the EU, the world`s biggest single
03:51 market.
03:52 To be accepted, they have to protect the EU`s democratic values.
03:56 That means stable political institutions, upholding the rule of law and respecting human
04:02 and minority rights.
04:04 Candidate countries also need a functioning market economy.
04:07 This requires macroeconomic stability, high-quality economic governance, a proper labor market
04:13 and sufficient infrastructure.
04:16 Countries must be ready for the market forces and competitive pressures of being inside
04:20 the block.
04:22 In the case of the Western Balkans, the EU has a special process designed to promote
04:26 political stability and regional cooperation.
04:29 Even if a country has aligned with Europe, a session is not automatic.
04:34 To join the EU can take years and depends on the approval of all member states and the
04:38 European Parliament.
04:43 Prime minister, thank you for speaking to Euronews.
04:46 Why is it in Albania`s interest to join the EU and why is it in the EU`s interest for
04:52 Albania to join the block?
04:56 Unfortunately, it was needed Vladimir Putin for the EU to understand that the Western
05:06 Balkans are as important for the EU as the EU is for the Western Balkans.
05:13 That`s a very, very simple logic.
05:17 It`s about integrating.
05:19 It`s about unifying.
05:21 The war in Ukraine has given a new impetus to enlargement in EU capitals and Brussels.
05:29 Sadly so, yes.
05:30 Sadly so.
05:31 Do you have a sense that this time is different?
05:33 Listen, it`s not just about, you know, Western Balkans in or Western Balkans out.
05:39 This is just a very, very small matter.
05:44 In the very big puzzle of matters, it`s about the relevance of the European Union in the
05:53 global stage.
05:54 It`s about the economy of the European Union.
05:57 It`s about the competitiveness of the European Union.
06:01 It`s about the capacity of the European Union to decide for Europe.
06:05 EU voters are split over further enlargement.
06:11 How do you convince skeptics that Albania should be part of the EU?
06:18 I strongly believe that in all the skepticism about EU and enlargement, there is a lot of,
06:28 on one hand, ignorance of the facts, and on the other hand, fear fueled by politics for
06:36 very political reasons.
06:38 Fear of what exactly?
06:40 The fear is the easiest tool to get more votes by speaking not to the brain of people, but
06:50 by communicating directly with their guts through bypassing their brain.
06:57 2030, what would you like to see?
06:59 I know what I want to see, and it`s public.
07:03 We have the 2030 vision, and we are working for it, and we will be there when Albania
07:12 will be a champion in the region of tourism, when Albania will be a net exporter of energy,
07:21 totally clean and green, by the way, and Albania that is very much modern in terms of innovation
07:31 and new technology.
07:33 You say Albania will be ready.
07:35 Do you think the EU will be ready?
07:37 What I know is where Albania will be in 2030.
07:41 To know where the EU will be in 2030, it`s a hell of joint work, and it`s a hell of strategic
07:49 decisions to be taken.
07:52 Prime Minister Eddie Rama, thank you for your time.
07:55 Thank you.
07:56 Thank you.
07:56 [MUSIC PLAYING]
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