L’enjeu de l’intégration de l’Albanie à l’Union européenne et la reconstruction de l’identité nationale albanaise postcommuniste

Abstract

The flame of the old Euro‑enthusiasm is turning off in all the members States of the EU. Yet, the Western Balkans countries are still as determined to join the Union. Among them, in Albania, 90 % of the population were in favour of an European integration. Of course, as everywhere, this fascination is based on the fact that the values and rights advocated by the Union are those whose it has been deprived of. The integration in the European Union was seen as a true Eldorado. In Albania, integration is legitimated by the national identification to Europe. As, in the end, the integration was natural and, sooner or later, unavoidable. Enver Hosha’s communism was based on the fusion between the Marxist ideology and the national identification, according to which being Albanian is to communist. The fall of the regime has consequently led to the fall of the Albanian national identity that is being rebuilt since then, on the European integration process.

Keywords

• National identity
• European integration
• Albania
• Balkans
• Contemporary period
• Political history