2018, crucial year for Albania towards EU

Although the launch of talks does not necessarily mean that it will be an easy process, the EU must keep the hopes between candidate states alive.

Albania is very close to opening its EU accession talks, and is expected to be crucial to its path towards the European Union.

Several months ago, Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati said Albania expects the European Council to approve the decision on opening its EU accession negotiations in June 2018.

He also warned the EU that it would be a great disappointment for Albanians if this decision were not adopted.

In an opinion on Euractiv, Bushat stressed that opening negotiations was only the beginning of a long and challenging process of learning.

We know very well that it will take time and we want to use this time to transform our country further into every sense and bring citizens closer to Europe”, Bushati writes.

The situation will be clearer in April when the European Commission submits a report on Albania.

As regards the decision expected to be made following the report's presentation, EU Commissioner for European Policy of Business and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn expressed his optimism that the European Commission would present a positive assessment in the annual report on Albania's progress.

He announced that there had been no negative response from any EU member state.

In addition, the EU Enlargement Commissioner noted that Albania must continue implementing reforms in five key areas defined as public administration, corruption, the rule of law, organised crime and fundamental human rights.

What is most important is that next month, the European Commission will present the Enlargement Strategy A document with a clear vision for the Western Balkans, including Albania.

Also, the Bulgarian EU presidency in 2018 could be of crucial importance for Western Balkan countries on their path to EU membership.

Recently, the Stabilisation and Association Council between Albania and the EU held the ninth meeting, where Albania's commitment to the reform agenda was accepted. The Council stressed that, along with other key priorities, reform in justice remains essential for Albania's EU accession process.

Also, the EU welcomed the establishment of property institutions in June 2017 and stressed that this important process represents a step towards implementing justice reform in Albania.

EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Federica Moghrini said the justice reform being implemented in Albania is one of the most important reforms in any of the countries on enlargement plans.

“We believe this will contribute positively to other areas, especially to the creation of a more predictable and transparent environment for businesses and investors”, Moghrin said.

Albania was at a crossroads in 2016, forced to choose whether to continue its historic legacy of corruption and organised crime or make a radical change on its path to the EU.

The Vetting Law aims to prevent corruption and political interference in the justice system, but also to clear the justice system through a deep and detailed audit of assets and possible links to the organised crime of judges and prosecutors.

But, anyway, Albania has registered poor achievements in investigating and tracking key drug trafficking figures and other organised crime activities, as stated by the” Freedom House” report last year.

Corruption within the public sector remains one of the country's biggest challenges towards the EU.

Another issue Albania faces is the problem of immigrants in the EU as the number of people coming from Albania is among the highest.

In France alone, where the number of immigrants was at the highest level of “40 years ago”, the highest number of requests came from Albania, Afghanistan and Haiti”, said Pascal Brice, director of the French Office for Protection of Refugees.