Albania Set on Road to Reform

Waiting for progress in the European Commission's report on Albania, Federica Moghrini, vice president of the European Commission, hinted that the European Commission will give within the coming months the recommendation for the opening of membership negotiations, writes brossselsexpress, conveyed media in Tirana.

She was speaking at a meeting held in a packed hall in the European Parliament called by Deputy Parliament President David Maria Susssoli to welcome Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati, who are visiting Brussels to support the Albanian EU campaign in order to make a positive decision at the Council's June meeting to open membership negotiations with Albania.

European Parliament President Antonio Tayan welcomed the Albanian initiative by speaking warmly of important regional and economic ties between Italy and Albania. He made it clear that this issue must overcome the disputes of political groups at home, that Parliament had a clear vision in support of EU enlargement with countries from the Western Balkans and addressed the European Commission to make a clear recommendation on the way to moving forward.

Prime Minister Edi Rama stressed the efforts made and the difficulties that were overcome to reach this crucial phase of Albania's road towards its Euro-Atlantic vision.

In particular, Albania has taken steps for a complete review of the justice system and is currently experiencing a major transformation of the entire property system and appointment of judges and prosecutors.

This process has been under international monitoring control, because Albania has wanted the presence of internationals in order for reforms to be true and effective.

Although Montenegro and Serbia were already more advanced in their negotiations with the EU, reform in justice was one of the areas where Albania was proud to have managed to be a pioneer in the region, bringing a regional leadership he hoped would promote similar changes in other countries of the region, Atsh reports.

He said Albania is now entering a new phase of state building and improving democracy in the daily life of any ordinary citizen.

Rama called on MPs to support the opening of EU accession talks to help Albania build a better future for the people.