The European Parliament’s decision to open a new office in Tirana is the result of its "ongoing commitment to strengthening ties with the Western Balkans," the institution stated. However, the choice of this city is not accidental but rather the outcome of a strategic interest, as has been the case with other locations where this institution has similar offices.
How does the European Parliament choose cities and countries for its offices?
The role of the office in Tirana will be to promote the positions and activities of the European Parliament, particularly regarding EU accession, as well as to support democratic and institutional reforms in the Western Balkans, according to a statement from the European Parliament.
The aim is to support Albania on its path to the EU while also responding to complex geopolitical challenges in the region. In a media statement, the European Parliament noted that this new office is a response to rising geopolitical tensions and recent developments following the EU’s expansion.
The European Parliament has liaison offices across the EU, as well as several in non-EU countries for strategic reasons. For example, the European Parliament has "three operational antennas: in New York for relations with the United Nations, in Jakarta for relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and in Addis Ababa for relations with the African Union," the document states, adding that a new office is under development in Panama to manage relations with Latin America.
The purpose of these new offices is to improve the EU’s relations by supporting local parliaments, civil society, and the EU accession process while also increasing the visibility of the Parliament’s activities and positions, particularly concerning EU enlargement, as stated in the document.
The European Parliament does not have direct jurisdiction over foreign policy, which is primarily handled by the European Commission and the Council. The EU as a whole maintains offices in many countries worldwide under the management of the European External Action Service (EEAS), which remains the primary EU body operating outside the bloc.
The role of the office in Tirana
According to the available information, the office in Tirana will assist in preparing and organising official visits by Members of the European Parliament, boosting cooperation with other EU actors on the ground, and maintaining connections with international and civil society organisations.
The European Parliament has consistently supported the European perspective of the Western Balkans, recognising the region's strategic importance for stability and the broader European project, the statement says. Establishing an office in Tirana is part of the EU’s broader strategy to deepen relations with candidate countries. The need to strengthen the EU’s partnerships in this region has become even more evident in the context of current geopolitical challenges, particularly in light of the war in Ukraine.
(EUpravo zato)