NATIONAL PRESSURE, ALBANIA’S MODERN CHALLENGES AND THE TREATMENT OF ALBANIAN CITIZENS AT EUROPEAN BORDERS Flamur BUÇPAPAJ

NATIONAL PRESSURE, ALBANIA’S MODERN CHALLENGES AND THE TREATMENT OF ALBANIAN CITIZENS AT EUROPEAN BORDERS
Flamur BUÇPAPAJ
In the modern era, when the world has become more interconnected than ever before, the way a state faces challenges is no longer defined solely by open military conflicts or traditional state power. Albania, as a small country in a complex geopolitical region such as the Balkans, faces a range of visible and invisible pressures that directly affect its sovereignty, stability, and national dignity.
When speaking about “national pressure” in a modern sense, it is not about a single event or a direct military aggression, but rather a continuous process of influences and challenges coming from multiple directions at the same time. These challenges are not always visible, but they operate silently and gradually affect the functioning of the state, the trust of citizens, and the stability of society.
One of the newest and most dangerous forms of these challenges is related to technology and information. Cyberattacks on state institutions, banks, and critical infrastructure represent a serious risk for any modern state. At the same time, disinformation and manipulation of public opinion through social networks and uncontrolled media create divisions within society and weaken national cohesion. If citizens lose trust in information and institutions, the state itself becomes more vulnerable to any form of pressure.
Another major challenge is economic. Albania faces structural problems such as informality, lack of sustainable investment, and social inequality. These conditions directly affect the daily lives of citizens and often lead to a continuous phenomenon of emigration, especially among young people. Their departure is not only an individual choice, but also a major national loss, as the country loses its most important potential for long-term development.
On the political and institutional level, the challenges are equally deep. A state functions in a stable way only when its institutions are strong, independent, and trustworthy. When politics is constantly divided and there is a lack of cooperation on strategic issues, an internal weakness is created that makes the state more exposed to external influences. Corruption, lack of transparency, and weak law enforcement further deepen this problem.
Albania is also located in a region with a complex history and multiple geopolitical interests, placing it in a sensitive international position. In this context, NATO membership and the process of European Union integration represent key pillars of the country’s security and strategic orientation.
However, along this path, an issue often raised by public opinion is the treatment of Albanian citizens at certain border points and airports in European countries, particularly in the context of new control systems such as the Entry/Exit System (EES).
This system is a new digital mechanism of the European Union designed to record the entry and exit of third-country nationals into the Schengen Area through biometric data and travel information. Its official purpose is to strengthen border security, prevent illegal stays, and better manage travel flows.
In principle, EES does not distinguish between citizens of different countries and applies equally to all non-EU travelers. However, in practice, during the early stages of implementation, many travelers report longer control procedures, more detailed checks, and extended waiting times at airports or border points. This often creates the perception that Albanian citizens are treated more strictly compared to others, even though in most cases this is related to the technical implementation process of the system rather than any direct discriminatory policy.
It should be emphasized that every new border system goes through a transitional adjustment phase, during which authorities and technical staff adapt to new technologies and procedures. During this period, delays and more detailed checks are more the result of security management and technical implementation than of a deliberate approach toward any specific country.
Nevertheless, citizens’ perception remains a very important element. When citizens feel they are treated differently or more strictly, it affects how they perceive their country’s relationship with European institutions. For this reason, transparency, clear communication, and equal standards of implementation are essential to avoid misunderstandings and feelings of injustice.
In this context, it is essential for the Albanian state to take a more active diplomatic and institutional role in protecting its citizens abroad, ensuring equal treatment and full respect for travelers’ rights in every international border system.
In conclusion, “national pressure” in the modern sense is not a single act, but a series of interconnected challenges that affect the state from multiple directions simultaneously. Addressing them requires strong institutions, a stable economy, political unity, and a clear national vision. Only in this way can Albania maintain its stability, strengthen its international position, and guarantee the dignity of its citizens in an increasingly complex world.