Lea Fanku

🇦🇱diplomat, passionate about IR, EU Affairs, Western Balkans, Sustainable Development & Human Rights. @coenatolin & @AUBGedu Alumna👩🏻‍🎓Views my own.

[Andrey Kovatchev @andreykovatchev]

Pleased to meet my dear friend, 🇦🇱Minister @HoxhaFer Albania has made great progress on its EU path. Fulfilling the Interim Benchmarks for Cluster 1 and opening all negotiating clusters are important milestones. I encourage Albania to maintain the momentum and advance reforms🇦🇱🇪🇺

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

📍Bruxelles -- Very pleased to meet and catch up with MEP @andreykovatchev.

Our discussion focused on the regional and broader geopolitical dynamics shaping Europe today, including Albania’s EU accession process and the importance of preserving the current momentum of enlargement. We discussed also about the report on #Albania adopted last month by the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, which sends a strong and encouraging message in support of our European path.

At a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, #enlargement is a strategic investment in a stronger, more secure, and more united Europe, and is essential for strengthening Europe’s stability, resilience, and geopolitical credibility.

Grateful for Mr. Kovatchev’s continued engagement and support for Albania’s EU accession process and for advancing the #European perspective of the entire region of #WesternBalkans. 🇦🇱🇪🇺

#Horizon2030

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

📍Brussels -- A moment to celebrate, a moment to cheer, a moment for "Gëzuar".

It was a great pleasure to welcome friends & colleagues from EU Member States and institutions to the #Mission of Albania to the EU in Brussels to celebrate, in keeping with a well-established tradition, a key milestone in Albania’s European journey: the successful outcome of the 8th #Intergovernmental Conference and the positive assessment reflected in the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report, #IBAR.

This achievement is the result of years of sustained effort, political commitment, and far-reaching reforms, often challenging, yet essential, undertaken with determination by the Albanian #Government & institutions. It reaffirms a fundamental principle of the enlargement process: progress is, and must remain, merit-based.

We were particularly pleased to celebrate with the Commissioner for Enlargement, our @MartaKosEU. Her engagement and unwavering commitment as well as that of her team, in Brussels and in Albania, to a credible enlargement process have been instrumental in maintaining momentum and strengthening confidence in the transformative power of the #European project.

We are fully aware that the positive IBAR outcome is both an encouragement and a responsibility. It recognizes how far #Albania has come, while setting the stage for the work that lies ahead. One thing is certain: Albania remains fully committed to advancing reforms, moving steadily toward the closure of negotiating chapters, and fulfilling the aspirations of generations of Albanians who see their future firmly anchored in the #EuropeanUnion.

Today's gathering was therefore not only a celebration of an important achievement, but also an opportunity to express our gratitude to all those who have accompanied and supported Albania along this path: the European Commission and other EU institutions, to all Member States for their understanding, support and encouragement, and all our friends who continue to believe in Albania and in the European future of the #WesternBalkans.

A cheer to Albania;
A cheer to our European future;
A chear to a stronger, more united & prosper Europe.🇦🇱🇪🇺

#Horizon2030

[António Costa @eucopresident]

Good to be back in Tirana and meet you today in your vibrant city, @ediramaal!

I welcome Albania’s determination and efforts to become a member of the EU - thanks in no small part to your personal commitment to this process, dear Edi.

Last week’s Accession Conference confirmed your progress.

I encourage you to sustain and intensify the reform efforts and keep up the momentum for Albania’s EU accession.

In this time of geopolitical uncertainty, enlargement is a strategic necessity for Europe - an investment in the peace, stability and security of our continent.

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

📍Brussels -- Always a valuable opportunity to meet and exchange views with Members of the @Europarl_EN on issues related to EU enlargement and the broader dynamics shaping Europe’s political agenda.

I was particularly pleased to meet with Albania’s Rapporteur in the European Parliament, Andreas Schieder @SCHIEDER, as well as with Swedish MPs Arba Kokalari @ArbaKokalari and @adnandibrani, both of Albanian descent and outstanding examples of successful integration, civic engagement, and public service in open, democratic, and inclusive European societies.

I thanked the Rapporteur for his excellent work in leading the process on the report on #Albania, adopted last month in the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, @EP_ForeignAff.

It was also an occasion to recognize, beyond their work and contribution as MPs, the personal and professional journey of Arba and Adnan, which reflects not only the valuable contribution that Albanians make across Europe, but also the opportunities that free and democratic societies offer to individuals who are committed to hard work, participation, and excellence. They stand as a powerful testament to the strong human ties that connect #Albania with #Europe and to the positive role that #diaspora communities play in strengthening mutual understanding, cooperation, and shared European values. Their success is a source of pride for #Albanians everywhere and a reminder that the European project is ultimately about people, opportunities, and the ability to contribute fully to the societies we call home.

Our discussion focused on the state of play of Albania’s EU accession process, the priorities and work ahead in the ongoing negotiations, and the shared objective of maintaining the current momentum of #enlargement. We also underlined the important role of the European Parliament in supporting a credible, merit-based enlargement process and in advancing the European perspective of the #WesternBalkans.

At a time when the European Union is increasingly recognizing the strategic importance of enlargement, continued engagement with the @Europarl_EN remains essential for strengthening political support and building a broader consensus and in communicating the transformative impact of a merit-based EU accession process.

#Horizon2030

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

Wall of #Enlargement — Change is coming. 🇦🇱🇪🇺

👉 On 14 October 2024, everything for Albania was red. Not a single chapter had been opened.

👉 Eleven months later, on 17 November 2025, everything turned yellow. All 33 chapters were opened.

👉 Following the 8th Intergovernmental Conference on the #IBAR held yesterday, the biggest test so far in our accelerated accession process, the colours are beginning to change once again. They will soon start turning green, the final stage, before ultimately turning "blue" by 2030.

We know this well: Albania’s path to EU membership is only credible when it is earned, merit-based, grounded in real transformation, and driven by a truly European mindset. That is exactly what we are doing.

What once seemed distant, inaccessible, or even impossible to many is now becoming reality: step by step, reform by reform, commitment by commitment, every single day, together with our partners.

Thank you to everyone in Team Europe Albania;

Thank you to Commissioner @MartaKosEU and to our colleagues in the European Commission for their remarkable dedication;

Thank you to the current Presidency, @CY2026EU, for its true commitment and leadership;

And thank you to all Member States for their understanding, support, and partnership, demanding precisely because it has been sincere.

We will not stop until the job is done, because for Albania, this is our path to our future & all roads lead to Brussels. 🇦🇱🇪🇺

#Horizon2030

[Marta Kos @MartaKosEU]

A big step forward for Albania on its path to EU membership!

With Albanian Prime Minister @ediramaal and Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs @marilena_raouna in Brussels today, Albania reached the interim benchmarks, and we set the closing benchmarks for fundamentals such as an independent judiciary and anti-corruption measures.

This is a major milestone as it allows #Albania to start closing negotiating chapters.

Now begins the most demanding phase of the negotiations, preparing to join the Union, and further build the trust with Member States.

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

Very engaging and productive exchange today with the #Ambassadors of the European Union Member States in Albania.

We discussed the ongoing reform process, as well as the full range of issues shaping current Albania–EU relations, in particular the ongoing #negotiation process and the next steps ahead.

Among other, we agreed on the importance of strengthened communication and public outreach on the European accession process, both in #Albania and in #EU Member States, in order to further enhance understanding and public support.

EU #enlargement has always been equally important for candidate countries and for the European Union itself, as it strengthens shared stability, security, prosperity, and democratic resilience across the continent, while reinforcing the Union’s strategic role and credibility.

I thanked them for their continued support to Albania’s European path and reassured them of our firm commitment to pursue and deepen the reforms required on our journey toward European Union membership.

Together, we remain committed to advancing tangible progress for our citizens and strengthening our shared #European future. 🇦🇱🇪🇺

#Horizon2030

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

The images shared by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showing the humiliating treatment of detained #flotilla activists are shocking and unacceptable.

All persons detained must be treated with dignity and in full respect of human rights, international law, and humanitarian law.

I have instructed our #Embassy in Tel Aviv to remain in close contact and coordination with the Israeli authorities in order to ensure that appropriate consular assistance is provided to our citizen, as needed and in full compliance with international law.

[MIA @mia_gov_al]

🇦🇱🇪🇺Parlamenti Europian miratoi këtë të martë(5 Maj), raportin për Shqipërinë për vitin 2025.

Në mbledhjen e Komisionit për Punët e Jashtme, eurodeputetët votuan me 58 vota pro për vendin tonë.

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

Komisioni për Punët e Jashtme i Parlamentit Evropian, #AFET miratoi sot, me 58 vota pro, tekstin e Rezolutës mbi Raportin e #Progresit të Komisionit Evropian për Shqipërinë për vitin 2025.

#Ministria për Evropën dhe Punët e Jashtme e mirëpret këtë zhvillim të rëndësishëm, i cili përbën një vlerësim të qartë dhe të padiskutueshëm të përparimit të qëndrueshëm dhe të angazhimit të palëkundur të Shqipërisë në rrugën drejt anëtarësimit në Bashkimin Evropian.

#Rezoluta përforcon gjetjet e Raportit të Komisionit Evropian, duke ofruar një pasqyrë të plotë, objektive dhe të balancuar mbi ecurinë e procesit të negociatave, thellësinë e reformave të ndërmarra dhe përputhjen e qëndrueshme të politikës sonë të jashtme me atë të Bashkimit Evropian dhe me rendin ndërkombëtar të bazuar në rregulla.

Ashtu si në dokumentet më të fundit të institucioneve evropiane, Shqipëria vlerësohet si një ndër vendet pararojë në procesin e zgjerimit. Theksohen përkushtimi ynë i qëndrueshëm, konsensusi i gjerë politik për integrimin evropian dhe mbështetja e fortë e qytetarëve për këtë proces. Hapja e të gjithë grup-kapitujve dhe ecuria e rregullt e procesit të #negociatave mbeten dëshmi konkrete e ritmit të reformave dhe e besueshmërisë së progresit të arritur.

Rezoluta vlerëson gjithashtu ambicien e #Shqipërisë për të përmbyllur negociatat deri në vitin 2027, duke reflektuar një mirëkuptim të përbashkët se vendi ynë ka hyrë në një fazë vendimtare të procesit të anëtarësimit.

Rezoluta identifikon natyrshëm edhe fusha dhe aspekte ku kërkohen përpjekje të mëtejshme, të cilat janë pjesë e vetë procesit të zhvillimit të vendit dhe procesit të negociatave. Shqipëria i sheh këto si pjesë të një dialogu konstruktiv dhe të vazhdueshëm me institucionet evropiane, që ndihmon në orientimin dhe konsolidimin e reformave gjithëpërfshirëse në përputhje me rekomandimet dhe angazhimet e ndërmarra.

Një vlerësim i veçantë i jepet përafrimit të plotë të Shqipërisë me Politikën e Përbashkët të Jashtme dhe të Sigurisë të BE-së, duke konfirmuar rolin tonë si një partner i besueshëm dhe kontribues aktiv në çështje strategjike evropiane dhe globale.

Rezoluta njeh gjithashtu kontributin e Shqipërisë për stabilitetin rajonal dhe angazhimin në iniciativa të rëndësishme të BE-së, si Plani i Rritjes për Ballkanin Perëndimor, i cili do të përshpejtojë më tej konvergjencën ekonomike me Bashkimin Evropian.

Në tërësi, kjo rezolutë konfirmon se Shqipëria është në rrugën e duhur dhe se procesi i zgjerimit po prodhon rezultate konkrete. Qasja jonë mbetet e pandryshuar: të vijojmë me vendosmëri reformat, të adresojmë sfidat e mbetura dhe të ruajmë ritmin e lartë të progresit, duke sjellë rezultate të prekshme për qytetarët tanë dhe duke avancuar drejt qëllimit strategjik të anëtarësimit në Bashkimin Evropian.

Ministria për Evropën dhe Punët e Jashtme shpreh mirënjohjen për #raporterin për Shqipërinë në Parlamentin Evropian, @SCHIEDER, si dhe për anëtarët e AFET dhe të gjithë eurodeputetët, për mbështetjen e vazhdueshme, angazhimin dhe kontributin e tyre në avancimin e reformave dhe në rrugëtimin evropian të Shqipërisë.

#Shqipëria2030

[ALMissionEU @AlMissionEU]

AFET committee approved today with 58 votes in favor the Resolution on the EC’s 2025 Progress Report on 🇦🇱. It praises 🇦🇱’s alignment with EU CFSP, reform efforts & ambition to conclude accession talks by 2027. Grateful to Rapporteur @SCHIEDER & all MEPs for their support.

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

The #Thessaloniki Declaration set out a promise and created hope. More than two decades later, that promise has yet to be fully realised, but it has not been in vain. The central place that #enlargement now holds in the #European Union’s agenda is clear testimony to its enduring relevance and strategic importance.

The #Delphi Declaration of 22 April 2026 should now help turn that promise into reality. The accelerated pace of negotiations for several candidate countries, including #Albania, together with the renewed political commitment across the EU, are strong indications that the Union is moving toward welcoming new members by 2030.

#Albania remains firmly and resolutely committed to being part of this historic change.

#Shqipëria2030
#Horizon2030

[Iratxe García Pérez /❤️ @IratxeGarper]

🇦🇱 Great meeting with @taulantballa. Albania is moving forward on its EU path and has our full support.

Progress must stay anchored in reforms, solid institutions and European values.

Enlargement is about principles, unity and a stronger Europe.

[António Costa @eucopresident]

Congratulations to Montenegro - today we took a big step towards your accession to the European Union.

The decision to establish the Working Party to draft the new Accession Treaty is a key milestone.

For the first time since 2013, the EU starts the clock for the next enlargement.

@CY2026EU

[ALMissionEU @AlMissionEU]

At the Institution Building Days marking 30 years of #TAIEX, 🇦🇱 received the price “TAIEX Champion” for strengthening justice inst. through vetting. A recognition of our deep reforms on the EU path - advancing rule of law, judicial reform & a strong public administration. 🇦🇱🤝🇪🇺

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

At the #Delphi Economic Forum, speaking on the panel on EU enlargement in the #WesternBalkans, I underlined that for #Albania, European accession is not simply and only about alignment with the acquis, but also its effective implementation and the delivery of real results.

We are advancing on key reforms and strengthening institutions in parallel: building a more professional and merit-based public administration, a more independent and professional justice system, and increasingly digitalised public services. Every step forward in the #negotiations is matched by concrete implementation capacity on the ground.

Our objective remains the same: to close all negotiation chapters by 2027 and be ready for EU membership by 2030. This is and should remain a merit-based process, where progress must reflect tangible results and be met with timely decisions that preserve the credibility of #enlargement.

Enlargement is a shared #European project and a strategic investment in the continent’s security, stability, and cohesion. We must maintain and sustain the momentum with all Member States, including in particular with partners like #Greece who understand the region and its importance, and translate commitments into concrete deliverables.

#Shqipëria2030
#Horizon2030

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

🇦🇱🇪🇺 As always, it is a distinct pleasure to have a substantive exchange with #Enlargement Commissioner @MartaKosEU, our #Commissioner.

Building on an advanced and dynamic negotiation process for Albania, we emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum and moving forward with consistency and focus.

It has been said many times, but it remains essential: a credible, merit-based #enlargement process depends on timely decisions that sustain trust and keep the process predictable, forward-looking, and effective. #Albania’s choice is clear: its EU path is grounded in strong commitments, sustained reforms, and concrete delivery.

We also discussed the implementation of the Reform Agenda under the #GrowthPlan, which in Albania’s case complements the EU accession process and delivers tangible benefits for citizens. Continued alignment with EU standards, strengthening the rule of law and an independent, professional judiciary, and sustained progress across all negotiation clusters remain our daily priorities.

We underlined the key role of clear and consistent #communication on both the benefits and responsibilities of enlargement—essential for strengthening public support and promoting transparency and inclusiveness. 🇦🇱🇪🇺

[Ferit Hoxha🇦🇱 @HoxhaFer]

Bashkëjetesa, harmonia dhe respekti reciprok mes besimeve dhe komuniteteve tona fetare përbëjnë #hipotekën shpirtërore të shqiptarëve – një bazë e fortë dhe e qëndrueshme e #shqiptarisë.

Për herë të parë, në kuadër të #Samitit IV të #Diasporës, “Mëngjesi i Vëllazërimit” bëri bashkë përfaqësues të komuniteteve fetare nga brenda dhe jashtë vendit, nga #Atdheu dhe Diaspora, në një lutje të përbashkët për Shqipërinë dhe për Flamurin. Një mesazh i përbashkët, i qartë dhe kumbues për paqe, harmoni dhe shpresë, që dëshmon se vlerat tona dhe trashëgimia jonë shpirtërore mbeten themeli i unitetit kombëtar.

Një moment unik bashkimi, një dëshmi e gjallë e vëllazërimit që e bën #Shqipërinë jo vetëm më të fortë, por edhe të veçantë.

#MëngjesVllazërimi
#HarmoniaFetare
#KrenariKombëtare

[Albanian MEFA 🇦🇱 @AlbanianDiplo]

🇦🇱🦅 Ministri Hoxha në Samitin e Diasporës: Gjuha shqipe është ADN-ja jonë.
Ajo nuk është thjesht mjet komunikimi, është kujtesë, identitet, është vazhdimësi.

Nëse gjuha jonë, e cila u ka rezistuar shekujve në kohë shumë më të vështira, dobësohet sot kur jemi më të ditur, më të fortë dhe më të lidhur se kurrë, atëherë përgjegjësia është vetëm e jona.

Ky është mesazhi i kërkesës legjitime të studentëve në Maqedoninë e Veriut, për të ushtruar të drejtat e tyre në gjuhën amtare.

Këtë duhet ta kemi parasysh edhe për mësuesit, vullnetarët dhe organizatorët në diasporë, që mbajnë gjallë gjuhën tonë çdo fundjavë, në çdo klasë, në çdo aktivitet.

Ata meritojnë jo vetëm mirënjohje; meritojnë shumë mbështetje konkrete dhe për këtë jam tërësisht i organizuar së bashku me gjithë ekipin tim në Ministrinë e Punëve të Jashtme e jam i sigurtë, me gjithë qeverinë shqiptare.