Meeting with Ms. Elisa Spiropali, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania

On Tuesday, 16 December 2025, the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) had the pleasure of welcoming H.E. Elisa Spiropali, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, for an in-depth exchange with a select group of high-level participants, in the framework of ELIAMEP’s initiative think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration, supported by the Open Society Foundations Western Balkans. The Minister was welcomed by Dr. Elena Lazarou, Director General of ELIAMEP, and Dr. Ioannis Armakolas, Head of the South-East Europe Programme and Director of the initiative.

The discussion focused on Albania’s European integration trajectory, the evolving geopolitical environment in the Western Balkans, and the broader challenges facing the EU enlargement process at a critical juncture. Minister Spiropali underlined that EU accession remains Albania’s top strategic priority, stressing that the country is making full use of the current “window of opportunity” created by the shifting geopolitical landscape following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She emphasised that European integration is not only a foreign policy objective, but a deeply transformative process affecting all strategic policy areas and Albanian society as a whole. She highlighted Albania’s steady progress in the “fundamentals” of the accession process, noting that reform credibility and preparedness remain the country’s strongest assets amid growing uncertainty within the European Union itself.

Beyond enlargement, the discussion addressed geopolitical competition and external influence in the Western Balkans. The Minister stressed that the region must no longer be treated as a geopolitical grey area, warning that enlargement fatigue risks undermining EU credibility not only among member states but also among candidate countries.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on regional dynamics, the EU’s role in revitalising dialogue processes, and Albania’s continued commitment to reforms and constructive engagement despite an increasingly complex international environment.