TIRANA, July 10 /ATA/ – Elisa Spiropali, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, highlighted Thursday Bulgaria’s continuous support for Albania, both bilaterally within the NATO alliance and in Albania’s European Union integration process, during her visit to Sofia.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Bulgarian National Assembly Chair, Nataliya Kiselova, Spiropali affirmed that the country’s EU accession process is progressing well, describing Albania as a frontrunner among Western Balkan candidate countries.

“We understand this process is merit-based, reliant on each country’s reforms. The evolving geopolitical landscape in Europe and increased security needs bring our nations closer and call for enhanced cooperation in the security field,” Spiropali said.

Spiropali expressed hope that regional agreements – like the trilateral pact signed between Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia – could be expanded to include allies such as Bulgaria. She stressed the intrinsic link between EU integration and regional security, underscoring Albania’s aim to open all accession chapters by the end of 2025 and complete technical negotiations by 2027, with full EU membership targeted within the decade.

Describing Albania as a small yet trusted partner in NATO and regional security, Spiropali called the country a “stability anchor” in the Western Balkans, promoting processes beneficial to the entire region.

Commenting on the economic ties, Spiropali emphasized the need to deepen trade, investment, and cooperation, particularly in infrastructure projects like Corridor VIII and tourism – key sectors for both countries. She welcomed Bulgarian investments and referenced recent bilateral agreements on tourism, pensions, and social security, which have already come into effect.

Spiropali reiterated Albania’s support for Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and called for prioritizing Kosovo’s NATO membership. She cautioned against political rhetoric rooted in past conflicts, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation and regional cooperation for a shared, prosperous future.

“We view any moves that reflect outdated narratives with concern across Kosovo, Albania, and the region,” she said. “We hope these are temporary and look forward to continued normalization of relations, mutual recognition, and progress toward Euro-Atlantic integration.”