Financial Economics student Arber [last name is known by the editors] has Albanian-Kosovarian roots – he has family still living there – and goes to the lecture by Erion Veliaj, who is Mayor of Tirana and was the national minister of youth and emigration from 2013 till 2015. Arber feels connected with Albania because Kosovo consists of 94% of Albanians. “I hope Veliaj will talk about the political tensions in the west-Balkan region,” Arber says.
Political tensions
Since 1992, the EU has pursued an active policy for Albania to join the EU and since 2006 Albania is officially candidate for EU membership. Arber: “Still a lot has to happen in Albania, Kosovo and other Western Balkan countries before they will be admitted to the EU.”
According to Arber, there are many challenges for the Western Balkans: “They have a weak economic situation, a lot of corruption and political tensions in the region. I hope that Veliaj will also discuss political tensions in the west-Balkan region. That is one of the main reasons why the countries still have not been able to join the EU. “
The lecture of Erion Veliaj will take place at 18:00 in the A-building aula tonight. The lecture is organized by the EESA and the Albanian embassy. You can sign up here.
