Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said his country is on course to be ready for European Union membership by 2030, following a strong election showing that secured him a fourth consecutive term.
In an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera, Rama said his government would complete EU accession negotiations by 2027 and continue reforms in rule of law, the economy, and public services to meet EU standards.
“This result confirms that Albanians believe in the path we are taking together,” he said. His Socialist Party is projected to win 82 seats in the 140-member parliament, extending its hold on power since 2013.
Rama credited the diaspora vote for reaffirming his leadership, calling it “a vote of judgment, not nostalgia.” He also confirmed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated him with a message “from a sister to a brother.”
Asked about forecasts suggesting Albania may not join the EU by 2030, Rama responded: “Experts rarely change the course of history—people and determined leaderships do.”
