Scholz responds to Rama: Germany supports the integration of the Western Balkans, an asset for the EU

19:40 15/10/2022

In the closing speech before the congress of the parties, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, participating in it as the leader of the Social Democrats, expressed full support for the membership of the Western Balkans in the European Union, addressing the head of the Albanian government Edi Rama.

“I just confirmed our support for the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union. I support the expansion of the union. The fact that the European Union continues to grow towards the east is a victory for all of us”.

However, Scholz reminds that member countries must fulfill their duties.

“Of course, the candidate countries must fulfill the membership criteria. While we will support them in the best possible way in these efforts”.

Even former Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, elected head of the European Socialist Party, emphasized the need to speed up the process of integration of the Western Balkan countries.

The head of the Albanian government asked the European Union and in particular the European left parties to show more solidarity when it comes to dealing with crises, such as the pandemic and the prices they are facing today.

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