1) Of course it cannot be an attack on Albania’s capacity to implement reforms, there are bodies that work on the matter and give their reports to each EU country on whether a candidate country is making progress or not. The general idea is that Albania wants to join by 2030, it could’ve been possible if we started opening chapters earlier but we got blocked because of North Macedonia (not their fault our accession package was just linked with them), I don’t think it’s possible to be honest unless EU wants it for geopolitical reasons. In my opinion (it could be wrong but it is mine) Romania & Bulgaria as well were not fully ready in 2007 and joined mostly because EU finally 1) needed influence on the Black Sea region; 2) wanted Russia out of the way. Both countries would’ve certainly joined anyway.

2) I don’t agree with this point, back then countries joined definitely more easily in fact the whole joining process is now different from last times. Slovakia for example only negotiated for 2 years after the opening of chapters and also other countries were welcomed in 2004 all together. Cyprus was admitted even though they don’t even control half the country. The current context is actually helping Albania and Montenegro (but these are candidate country since the last decade) and even countries like Moldova and Ukraine which would’ve have never been in the agenda for the next decade at least. Before the invasion of Ukraine enlargement was really not in the table, Montenegro only closed like a couple chapters in 10 years and Albania was constantly being denied the start of negotiations, Ukraine and Moldova on the other hand? Weren’t even official candidates. Current context woke up EU we need as much strength and influence in Europe, the problem is yes EU needs reforms but it’s always the same story everyone says it needs internal reforms yet no one is actively proposing or doing anything on the matter. This also blocked Western Balkan countries for years.

3) I am not defensive either towards Albania we Albanians have no problems on criticising our own government and even our own people but frankly most of the critics to Albania in this discussion have been about the fact we would use veto to damage it (completely nonsense) or that we are a muslim country, how can I accept THESE claims?

So if Romania can’t be a threat to EU, despite we all saw the chaos of last elections and the interferences both from Russia and the current USA administration, how can Albania be a threat? It is impossible, we are a way smaller country, we have no influence, 0 links to Russia or China. As of now the only issue I can see is that we are also very much pro USA (I am personally not) but it’s an issue only considering the current administration. For everything else we depends on EU (both Italy and Greece defends Albanian skies for example) and we prefer EU a lot more of course. If Albania was part of EU already they would be less pro USA as a result but as of now they need as much support and investments as possible.

4) It shouldn’t be personal but some of the critics here were very much personal against Albania and Albanian people rather than facts. I was surprised as well to see so many critics especially from Romanians while Romanian government has always been historically supportive to Albania in many ways and are supportive to EU accession as well.

I am not drawing any equivalences I have said Romania is (obviously) richer than Albania but that is also because it’s been 20 years now you are in EU but it’s not like you guys are now entitled to shit on other countries just because you’re in EU and feel superior (not an attack on you here but some of your fellow countrymen seem to believe this). If Albania was in EU the standards would be much more similar to Romania’s.

Understandable, I still believe that you guys were greatly helped by the West though, of course you worked well I just want something similar for Albania. Albania in fact is being helped and supported by other countries too and this is positive. I don’t think it is wise to be against those countries that really want to join and embrace EU values otherwise you just push them somewhere else. When it will be time Albania will join unless is blocked by some stupid issues over and over again.