FLASH NEWS
What is holding back EU integration?/ Lubonja reveals conversation with German ambassador on "Balluku" issue: Test for Albania!
2026-04-09 22:21:39 / POLITIKË
Analyst Fatos Lubonja, invited to the show "This Week" on News24 , commented on Albania's European perspective and the reasons that may lie behind the non-approval of the IBAR report in the integration process.
According to Lubonja, the process of membership in the European Union depends not only on meeting standards, but also on strong geostrategic factors.
He recalled that a few years ago, before the outbreak of the War in Ukraine, countries like Germany, the Netherlands and Greece were among the most critical of Albania, demanding the fulfillment of standards that the country had not fully achieved.
"With the war in Ukraine, Germany and the Netherlands changed their stance and became more supportive of integration. I think this is more related to geostrategic reasons than to the actual fulfillment of standards," he said.
Lubonja also mentioned the theories circulating on Albania's integration, highlighting two main approaches: one that suggests that the country could join the EU to be better controlled from within, and the other that warns that after membership, control becomes more difficult.
"In my opinion, the Germans are closer to the second theory, due to concerns related to crime and justice problems in Albania," the analyst said.
He also touched on the issue of the former deputy prime minister accused by SPAK, Belinda Balluku, describing it as a test, according to a conversation with the German ambassador.
"The German ambassador told me that the Balluku case is a test. But I believe that this test is also accompanied by other information that they have. It could have served as the final proof," Lubonja declared.
Happening now...
Denouncing Berishism is a prerequisite for denouncing the government
Nga Blendi Kajsiu
ideas
top
Alfa recipes
TRENDING 
services
- POLICE129
- STREET POLICE126
- AMBULANCE112
- FIREFIGHTER128