Cyprus backs Albania’s EU path, urges reform

TIRANA, Sep. 8 (TemA) — Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos praised Albania’s progress toward European Union membership and urged faster reforms during “Diplo 2025,” a three-day conference of Albanian ambassadors themed “Albania 2030: In Europe, Connected to the World.”

“Albania deserves credit for its rapid progress across many chapter clusters,” Kombos said, adding that the country should “intensify efforts” to keep momentum. He noted that such forums help coordinate goals and set measurable targets.

Kombos said the EU is imperfect and evolving, yet remains a unique political project and an engine of opportunity. To succeed, he urged Albania to build “critical bureaucratic mass” and technical capacity to handle the challenges of membership.

He called for full alignment with EU rules and values, saying that commitment is at the core of the accession process. “Prepare for what comes next,” he said.

Cyprus will support Albania’s bid, standing “as a constructive and useful facilitator” throughout the process, Kombos said.