Tirana:The EU should regard its enlargement as a strategic investment in peace, stability, and security in Europe, said Giorgos Karoullas, Chair of Cyprus' House Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, during the Interparliamentary Conference on the Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania's accession.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Karoullas emphasized the importance of the European perspective for the Western Balkans, especially in the current unstable international environment. He described it as a strategic and geopolitical investment aimed at enhancing European stability and resilience.

Karoullas highlighted that the enlargement process must be shielded from external interference and any attempt to introduce principles incompatible with the EU acquis. He stressed the need for candidate countries' progress to align fully with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defence Policy, supporting the EU's goal of strategic autonomy.

He noted that EU enlargement was a priority for the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026. During this period, Cyprus acted as an honest broker to ensure the credibility and fairness of the enlargement process, based on EU principles and values.

Regarding Albania's EU accession, Karoullas acknowledged the country's progress and commitment to necessary reforms aligning with EU law. He stressed that the EU must continue to support Albania's European path, ensuring a credible and merit-based accession process based on concrete achievements.

Karoullas also pointed out that assessing the success of Albania's accession process should go beyond opened or provisionally closed chapters. It should focus on how well European standards are integrated into Albania's institutions and citizens' lives, as these reforms will determine the country's future strength as an EU member.

Finally, Karoullas remarked that EU enlargement serves as a strategic driver for reform, stability, and security, promoting peace and prosperity across Europe. He argued that enlargement should be treated not as a bureaucratic exercise, but as a strategic investment in Europe's future, with national parliaments playing a crucial role in maintaining democratic legitimacy and a common European vision.