President of the European Council Donald Tusk congratulated the Albanian people for the recommendation for the opening of the membership negotiations with the European Union.

“I have no doubt that it’s in the best interest of EU and Albania that the entire Western Balkans region is fully integrated into EU”, Tusk said in a joint press conference with Albanian Premier Edi Rama, adding that Albania has many challenges ahead with “the rule of law and the fight against crime and corruption”.

Mr. Tusk said “the road to EU is not a motorway but more of a hurdles race”.

“What you have done is enough to open the membership negotiations. I am optimistic for the long-term perspective, but also cautious for the short-term perspective”.

“Energetic and road networks should be improved. We need to cooperate, not to wait till the EU expansion”, Tusk said.