Rama called Russia a "virus" and urged the EU not to abandon the Balkans — Welt
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama called on the European Union to move more quickly toward admitting the countries of the Western Balkans. In an interview with Welt, he compared the region’s lack of EU membership to an “open belly” into which dangerous influences can seep. Among these threats, Rama cited Russia, radical Islam, and crime.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has called on the European Union not to leave the countries of the Western Balkans on the sidelines. He believes that the lack of EU membership creates additional risks for the region. According to the Albanian prime minister, the Western Balkans effectively form a “hole” within the European Union. He explained his point by citing geography: the countries of the region are surrounded by EU member states but are not yet part of the bloc themselves.
Rama compared this situation to an open abdominal cavity after surgery. In his view, leaving such an “open area” is dangerous, as various harmful influences can enter it. “An open abdomen is bad. It poses a risk of infections, wounds, and decay. Russia is a virus. Radical Islam is a virus. Crime is a virus,” Rama stated.
Thus, he identified Russian influence as just one of the problems that, in his view, could intensify in the region without closer integration with the EU. At the same time, Rama noted separately that he considers Russia a real threat. His position on China is different. He stated that he does not see Beijing as an imperial threat, but rather considers China a power that Europe will have to reckon with.
Rama also spoke positively about the need to maintain contacts with various countries. In his view, Europe should not isolate itself but must strengthen its own competitiveness and ability to make strategic decisions.
Rama compared the Balkan countries to children
Separately, the Albanian prime minister used another metaphor. He mentioned European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has seven children. Rama drew a parallel between her family and the seven countries seeking EU membership. “There are seven of us, too—seven countries that want to join the EU. Which is better: raising children within a family or leaving them outside until they grow up?” he said.
At the same time, Rama acknowledged that candidate countries cannot immediately receive the same rights as full EU members. “Of course, a child at the table has fewer rights. They can’t demand everything. But out there, the risks are great,” the Albanian prime minister explained. He then continued this analogy and described the potential risks for countries that remain outside the EU. “One child will befriend Russian gangsters. Another gets hooked on Chinese toys. A third discovers extremism and blows up the whole neighborhood,” Rama said.
Albania Is Moving Closer to the EU
Albania has been seeking to join the European Union for many years. The country is a candidate for membership and is conducting accession negotiations. On September 30, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Albania. She stated that the country is one of the leaders in the EU accession process and has already made significant progress. At the same time, von der Leyen emphasized that there is still much work to be done. In particular, Albania needs to continue reforms in the areas of the judiciary, the electoral system, and environmental protection. She also stressed that it is important not only to adopt reforms but also to fully implement them.
Rama, for his part, stated that Albania intends to continue moving toward membership. According to him, the negotiation process has already reached the stage where the country is working to close individual negotiation chapters. This is not just about Albania. Seven candidate countries from the Western Balkans are seeking EU membership: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey.
It was these seven countries that Rama compared to von der Leyen’s seven children. He called on the EU not to wait for the full completion of all procedures, but to more actively integrate the candidates into the European space. Rama had previously stated that the EU’s refusal to further engage the Western Balkans would be a serious mistake for Europe. He also emphasized that the countries of the region must remain “at the European table,” even if their rights differ from those of full members during the negotiation phase.
At the same time, current EU policy calls for the gradual advancement of candidate countries toward membership. Brussels links this process to the implementation of reforms, adherence to democratic principles, and the rule of law. For Rama, the issue of the Western Balkans’ accession to the EU is not just about economics or politics. He also links European integration to the region’s security and the opportunity to reduce the influence of external forces. Rama made these remarks in an interview with the German newspaper Welt.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama called on U.S. Democrats not to use the protests against a planned luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, as a means of retaliating against Trump.
