an hour agoAlbania Ready for Opening EU Negotiations
Periskopi(8 years ago)
(8 years ago)The European Commission estimates that Albania has reached a standard, considered ready for the opening of EU membership negotiations. Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati has unveiled the report on the EC's findings and recommendations before majority deputies. Bushati underlined that for the first time Albania has a recommendation [...]
The European Commission estimates that Albania has reached a standard, considered ready for the opening of EU membership negotiations.
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati has unveiled the report on the EC's findings and recommendations before majority deputies.
Bushati underlined that for the first time Albania has a positive recommendation from the European Commission without any conditions since 2009, since Albania applied to be an EU member state.
Bushati said that in 2016, the European Commission recommended to the Council the opening of membership talks by accompanying this recommendation with the consensus that Albania would implement the law on vetoing, or otherwise known, the assessment of the figures of judges and prosecutors and at the same time would ensure progress in implementing the five key priorities for membership.
“16 months later, on April 17th, the European Commission recommended the opening of membership talks with Albania in a clear way, or as stated in a daily, unconditional manner. The 2016 Enlargement Package, 16 months ago, added for the first time several new criteria for the country's assessment, including not only the progress of countries compared to previous years, but also the level of their preparation to be a member”, Bushati said.
Regarding the political aspects, Bushati said the report positively recognises the interparty agreement of May 2017, which served not only for regular election development but also for the adoption of many acts related to the continuation of reforms in the areas of key priorities.
“As far as the economic side, The EC praises the functioning development of the market economy. Stressing progress in the field of infrastructure, energy and transport. As for the progress of 5 priorities, the report points out that there is progress compared to 2016. The report cites that Albania can be considered an example in the process of evaluating the figures of judges and prosecutors and establishing institutions of the justice system”, Bushati said.
Bushat underlined that the Albanian government has full will to walk the path of reforms.
