We may be smug about the EU in the west, but for the troubled Balkans it offers a vision of hope. Where on earth, would 88% of a nation's citizenry want to join us (and Herman Van Rompuy. ) in the world's least welcoming club? Steam straight past Brussels and head south. We're going to Albania. , because it tells us something slightly shaming about ourselves – and our smug insularity. Albania? Economy up this year (by 2%) while most of the world slumped back. Political system on turbulent hold since a June general election so tight that the Socialist losers are still boycotting parliament, filling the streets of Tirana with protests. last weekend. But it finally got formal permission to negotiate EU entry last week. The final reward for years of effort may only be a couple of years away (with that 88% support driving on). When you hear Albania's president, Bamir Topi, outline his "vision", it lies at the end of the yellow brick road to Brussels. And when you visit Tirana after a few
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