Albania document distributed to EU leaders uncovered

The presidents and prime ministers of EU member states on June 28th and 29th in Brussels will discuss countries that are part of the enlargement process. Common conclusions will be approved at the end of the meeting, but the draft text has already been agreed on.

The draft of final conclusions has been handed over to European capitals and Labus.al has managed to provide a mirror of this document, which must be approved at the level of heads of state and governments of the 28 EU member states.

The discussion between the presidents and the prime ministers of Europe will be linked to Albania and Macedonia's chances of getting the green light, whether to start accession talks with the EU or not. Lapsy.al has read the text of the current draft involving the EU Council's decision to approve the opening of accession negotiations with Tirana and Skopje, but, from preliminary information, there is a high chance that during the debate, there will be changes in paragraphs dealing with opening membership negotiations -- from Macedonia and Albania.

As has previously reported, the post.al document does not have within it a fixed date for opening negotiations and beginning discussion on negotiating chapters. Although the European Commission recommended opening negotiations, the text EU leaders in Brussels will have on the table does not contain a substantial detail like this date and this relates to the rest of the document, which are the conditions and expectations of European Union countries by the Albanian government.

Explain/ Why there is no date for opening negotiations for Albania

So in the text, there are several additional steps the Albanian government should take. The tasks concern continuing reform in the judiciary, fighting drugs, corruption and organised crime, and, of course, a better relationship with the opposition.

In the text that has been distributed to EU countries, the European Council will reportedly welcome a steady progress in implementing five key priorities in Albania. This country will be required to step up progress and intensively continue judicial reform, with the goal of boosting independence, accountability, professionalism and efficiency of the judicial system”

The Council emphasises Albania's importance to achieve other tangible and sustainable results, including in a particular area ʹ the fight against drug cultivation and trafficking” completes the project.

Official Tirana will also be required to step up efforts and show tangible results in fighting corruption and organised crime.

The conclusions on Albania will require a stable and constructive <x0) dialogue between the government and opposition in EU-related reforms, as it is considered essential in European processes and the country's approach to European structures. Albania will be praised for continuing its full harmonisation of its foreign and security policy with EU policy. It will also welcome the Albanian authorities' commitment to the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

A few days ago, Macedonia managed to settle disputes with Greece on name issues. Zaev managed to show up in European media ahead of the European Council's decision by celebrating with Tsipras for finding a solution. For Rama, an agreement with Greece, it was a lost chance, but the Albanian prime minister is playing hard at the idea of a refugee camp in our country -- a bid that would relieve European leaders of pressure, always in exchange for the pro-opening negotiations. ©Lapsy.al