Albania aims to be EU member by 2030, PM Rama says after 'historic' talks

Albania aims to become a full-fledged member of the European Union by the end of the decade, its Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Tuesday, following the opening of accession negotiations he called "historic".

"It is our aim to complete that process within this decade and be ready to knock at the door of the European Council as a member state," Rama told reporters in Luxembourg, where an intergovernmental conference (IGC) was held with the Balkan nation.

"This, of course, is very ambitious, it takes a very, very large volume of work. We have been very closely working with the Commission and we have set up together a roadmap, again, very ambitious. We have a plan and we also count on friends and partners to help us achieve that," he added.

The Tuesday conference focused on the first cluster of chapters on the so-called "fundamentals" that show how the country aligns with the EU in areas such as human rights, the rule of law, and democratic institutions.

A position paper jointly prepared by both sides is largely positive on Albania's progress in implementing EU law but says there's room for improvement in fighting corruption and strengthening the justice system.

"Corruption is prevalent in most areas of public and business life, including in all branches of central and local government and institutions and remains an area of serious concern," said the document, issued after the meeting.

The EU called for further reforms to state institutions, on media independence and to tackle organised crime.

Rama said Tuesday's talks were "of historic significance for Albania" and the EU, adding that the country remains "resolute in its determination to meet all future obligations".

"We Albanians cannot have a Plan B" to EU integration, he said.