Ognjanoska Stavrovska: NATO and the EU see Albania as a country that can support their global agenda

Leposava Ognjanoska Stavrovska, a lecturer at the International Balkan University in Skopje, told Kosovo Online that NATO and the European Union view Albania as a credible partner capable of supporting their global agendas, which is why Tirana serves as favorable ground for organizing meetings such as the NATO summit, which it is set to host in 2027.

The choice of a host country for a NATO summit, Ognjanoska Stavrovska notes, is typically based on the importance a specific region is given, as well as the credibility of the country as an ally.

In recent years, she points out, the process of European integration in Albania has succeeded in creating societal cohesion and portraying Albania as a constructive partner of both the EU and NATO—organizations that, despite current global challenges, still consist of the same group of member states.

"Albania has managed to position itself as a reliable partner to these countries. On the other hand, it has, over the past years, transformed from an internationally isolated and politically closed country into one that now provides favorable ground for organizing such gatherings—primarily due to its opening up to the world in line with tourism growth, investments in infrastructure, and the fact that it is one of the countries in the region less burdened by regional instability caused by bilateral disputes," Ognjanoska Stavrovska explains.

Albania, she emphasizes, has in recent years been “living a completely different European story from that of Macedonia.”

“If we reduce our story to hopelessness, the story of Albania and its path to the European Union is one of enthusiasm. The path to improving the country’s overall international position still runs through its integration, but the fact remains that our EU integration path is very different from the one Albania is currently on,” says Ognjanoska Stavrovska.

When asked whether Kosovo could benefit from Albania’s position within NATO and its progress toward EU membership, Ognjanoska Stavrovska stresses that she believes Albania will primarily advocate for its own domestic political agenda and the realization of its strategic priorities.

“Its entire position could undoubtedly contribute to it becoming a more influential player in the regional context. But for now, I believe Albania’s goal is to present itself as a credible, reliable partner, first and foremost to what Europe, the European Union, and NATO represent. I believe that, in the coming years, Albania would not advocate for any agenda that could jeopardize its position in European affairs in pursuit of its strategic goals,” Ognjanoska Stavrovska concludes.