Prime Minister Rama on passports for North Macedonia Albanians and EU vetoes

Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized the importance Albania attaches to the fraternal relations among the state-forming peoples in North Macedonia, adding that the use of vetoes on the path to the European Union benefits no one.

During a conversation, a young man asked about the possibility of Albanian citizens of North Macedonia obtaining Albanian passports, due to blockades imposed by Greece and Bulgaria on accession negotiations. In response, Rama underscored that Albania cannot take unilateral actions that undermine the harmony of the European family.

He explained that he has consistently advocated the idea that imposing vetoes on the process is neither constructive nor helpful for bringing countries closer to the EU. According to the prime minister, such a veto during interim steps, such as the opening of negotiations, does not reflect the European spirit, and he himself has long been engaged with the European Union to adopt a new approach towards non-member states.

Referring to the passport issue, Rama emphasized that our country does not have the freedom to make arbitrary decisions that affect the internal cohesion of the European bloc. He cited the example of Bulgaria, which acted similarly after becoming an EU member, relying on the power of its travel document.

The prime minister further praised the transformation of the current situation of Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, describing it as incomparable with the reality of a decade ago. He concluded that Albanians today find themselves in the best position in their history, thanks also to a fate that, according to him, has smiled on us for the first time.