BUDAPEST, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has opened the first chapter of accession talks with Albania, a step that Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto described as a "historic" moment in the country's journey toward potential EU membership.

Speaking in Luxembourg on Tuesday, Szijjarto announced the decision at a joint press conference following the second intergovernmental conference between the EU and Albania. He said that accelerating EU enlargement with Western Balkan countries is a priority under Hungary's presidency of the EU Council.

Szijjarto emphasized the EU's need for new energy and dynamism, which the Western Balkan countries, including Albania, are poised to offer. "We must take urgent steps to preserve the credibility of the enlargement policy," he said. "It is in Europe's interest to accelerate the EU's enlargement into the Western Balkans."

European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi called the moment a milestone in EU-Albania relations. He reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting the integration of the Western Balkans, highlighting the adoption of a 6-billion-euro financial package aimed at facilitating necessary reforms.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama reiterated his country's dedication to EU membership, saying, "There is no other future and no other path" for Albania apart from joining the EU. Enditem

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