Albania, Bulgaria Deepen Ties and Back EU Path

Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali paid an official two-day visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of her counterpart, Nataliya Kiselova. During the visit, Spiropali met with Bulgaria’s National Assembly Chair and President Rumen Radev, laying emphasis on regional security and EU integration, CE Report quotes BTA

At a joint press briefing, Kiselova praised Albania’s progress in EU accession, noting it had opened 24 out of 31 negotiating chapters, calling it a “champion in European integration.” She reaffirmed Bulgaria’s support for Albania’s EU path, stressing each country should join the EU based on its own merits.

Spiropali highlighted Albania's commitment to regional stability, citing trilateral cooperation with Kosovo and Croatia, and called on Bulgaria to join. She also emphasized the need to translate strong political ties into economic, trade, and tourism partnerships.

At a PanEuropa-Bulgaria forum, Spiropali called European integration a “national conversation,” not just a bureaucratic process, with 95% of Albanians supporting EU membership. Kiselova underscored the strategic importance of Corridor 8 for regional connectivity and integration.

In a meeting with President Radev, both sides stressed deepening cooperation in transport, investments, education, and defense, reaffirming their shared role in maintaining Balkan security.