May 9, Europe Day, which commemorates the signing of the May 9 Declaration in 1950, is considered the first step towards the creation of the European Union.

The French Foreign Minister at the time, Robert Schuman, called on the countries of Europe to create an economic alliance, initially of coal and steel. It was the basic premise of a future “European Federation,” which today has its consolidated institutions and 27 member states.

Albania aspires to be the newest member by 2030. This moment will arrive when the negotiations of 33 chapters, already opened in record time, are concluded and after the ratification of the Treaty of Accession of Albania to the EU by the parliaments of 27 states.

But what is the meaning of the integration process and the one after accession to the EU for our local realities?!
As an example, I am choosing the reality of our city.

The "stars" of Korça have always existed. They are the history, culture, tradition and charm of the Korçan citizenship. Ever since the time when European belonging was not a "status" within a federation of states, but a worldview and lifestyle.
A century ago, even in the conditions of a post-Ottoman Albania, Korça and its region shone with the first rays of its social emancipation and National Renaissance. Even when the gloom dictated by the economic poverty of the time made reality seem very unpromising, its community and citizenry knew how to take confident steps towards strengthening national identity and social development.

The objective of the country's integration into the EU should not be seen simply as a political manifesto with theoretical slogans. It should be seen as a concrete and technical platform for overall development with European standards in various sectors of life and the economic dynamics of the entire region.
We don't need to invent. The indigenous stars of every reality, no matter how small, are the bedrock we can rely on for faster, more tangible progress.

We need a lot of work and a contemporary mindset to strengthen the local economy, improve education, healthcare, promote and enrich our culture, or invest in sports. All of this serves the well-being of the community.

Korça has always been known for the bridges it has created with foreign realities, thanks to the prominence of its prominent diaspora community. We can do more to turn Korça into an oasis of multiculturalism, where why not, organize “Culture Days” of different nations every year.
Of course, this first requires a project and identification work to bring to life attractive and stimulating ideas and meeting points for exchanges between different cultures.
Nothing prevents us from offering our city a dimension with a cosmopolitan and multicultural flavor, which promotes hospitality intertwined with collaborative activities with foreign communities in art, culture, innovation, professional training, and inspiring examples of entrepreneurship, which can also be borrowed from us as new premises for local development.
The Korça of Francophonie as it is often referred to, why not be on certain days of the year the Korça of the English, Spanish, German, Greek, Polish, Dutch, Croatian, Macedonian, Swedish, Slovenian, Portuguese, Norwegian, Bulgarian, Italian or all 27 member states. We could perhaps also symbolically define and build a “multicultural square” in the city as an expression of our culture of hospitality without nationality differences.

Let the organization of such days be inspired by ideas not necessarily directly related to the roots of our history. The will as Korçars and citizens of Europe would be enough to "invent" even a one-day fable. Of course, in cooperation with foreign diplomatic representations in our country, as reasons created by ourselves, to welcome visitors from Europe and beyond. To exchange more culture and enjoy more of the cosmopolitan atmosphere among us.

This would certainly make Korça more internationally known and consequently bring more foreign visitors to get to know and enjoy it as a reality.
Because Europe is not only a union of states, but also a union of values, and Korça, with its stars of culture, citizenship, and European spirit, has always been part of this sky.