Ordinary meetings

MEPs to discuss EU-Albania relations

On 22 May, the Delegation to the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (D-AL) met in Brussels.

Members addressed the political and economic situation in Albania and the state of the country's relations with the EU following the start of accession negotiations, in view of the upcoming 16th EU-Albania SAPC meeting in Tirana.

MEPs joined for an exchange of views on the situation in Albania by H.E. Suela JANINA, Ambassador, Mission of the Republic of Albania to the EU, Ms Michela MATUELLA, Acting Director for Western Balkans in DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, and Ms Elsa FENET, Head of Division 'South East Europe & Western Balkans' in the European External Action Service.

The head of EP's election observation mission Sven SIMON (EPP, DE) briefed Members on the observers' conclusions following the Albanian local election of 14 May 2023.

MEPs joined for an exchange of views on the situation in Albania by H.E. Suela JANINA, Ambassador, Mission of the Republic of Albania to the EU, Ms Michela MATUELLA, Acting Director for Western Balkans in DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission, and Ms Elsa FENET, Head of Division 'South East Europe & Western Balkans' in the European External Action Service

The meeting included exchange of views on the political, economic and pandemic situation in the Republic of Albania, and its relations with the European Union, with H.E. Ambassador Ms Suela JANINA, Mission of the Republic of Albania to the EU, Ms Michela MATUELLA, Head of Unit for Albania, North Macedonia, DG NEAR, European Commission, Ms Elsa FENET, Head of Division 'Western Balkans', European External Action Service

On Monday, 21 June 2021 the European Parliament's Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey delegations held a joint meeting to discuss the Climate Change in the Mediterranean: situation of the UfM members in the enlargement area.

Members have exchanged views with the Vice President Mr Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, who spoke on behalf of the EP Presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA - UfM), experts from the academia, European Commission and the civil society.

A Joint Western Balkans and Turkey Delegations' Meeting on Gender Equality & Women's Rights took place remotely via Webex on 11 May 2021.

In this meeting, Members had the possibility to discuss the state of play in gender equality and women's rights with local civil society and academia experts.

The meeting was organised under the patronage of the Chairs of the EP Enlargement delegations and was presided by Mr Tonino Picula, Chair of the AFET Working group on the Western Balkans.

.

The meeting included an exchange of views on the state of play of EU-Albania relations and recent developments in Albania with H.E. Ms Suela JANINA, Ambassador of Albania to the European Union, Ms Michela MATUELLA, Head of Unit, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina Unit, DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission, and Ms Ulla HAKANEN, Deputy Head of Division 'Western Balkans' in the European External Action Service.

Members also exchanged views with Albanian civil society representatives on the:

• judicial system and fundamental rights with Ms Ina XHEPA, European Centre Executive Director;
• impact of Covid-19 on youth and mental health with Ms Armela PENGILI, Act for Society Centre Executive Director.

• Ms Suela JANINA, Ambassador of Albania to the EU,
  
• Mr Georg ZIEGLER, Deputy Head of Unit for Albania, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina Unit, DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission,
  
• Ms Elsa FENET, Head of Division 'Western Balkans' in the European External Action Service.

During the constitutive meeting, the Chair and the Vice-Chairs of the delegation were elected:

Chair: Manolis KEFALOGIANNIS (EPP, EL)

1st Vice-Chair: Bettina VOLLATH (S&D,AT)

2nd Vice-Chair: Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ (RE, RO)