Albania’s EU accession to serve Europe's best interest – Tusk

There will be no stable and safe Europe without the integration of all the Balkans in the EU, Tusk said in a press release, following a meeting with Albania's prime minister Edi Rama in Tirana.

“What is at stake is our common future. And no one is doing anyone any favours here,” he said, adding that Albania has maintained a solid track record as regards the rule of law and the fight against corruption and organised crime.

“I have always thought that the EU should open accession talks with both Albania and North Macedonia, in line with the positive recommendations from the European Commission,” Tusk noted.

He added that Albania must be treated with equal respect and on its own merits, just like all other countries in the region that share the same goal of becoming EU members one day.

In June, the Council of the European Union said it will discuss the issue of opening accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia no later than October in light of the limited time available and the importance of the matter.

North Macedonia is a EU candidate country since 2005 and Albania since 2014.