Albania gets new task ahead of EU negotiations

Time does not wait for both sides, Albania and the EU. In this context, on Friday (13.07.18), European Council President Donald Tusk and Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn held meetings in Brussels with Prime Minister Rama, where they placed points on”” for starting work an hour and earlier.

In a press release by Prime Minister in Tirana, President Tusk was quoted as saying at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Rama: “I have no doubts that, if Albania continues at this pace of reforms, it will be able to achieve all the required results by next June. Albania's efforts to iron out internationals with Greece are best evidence of its commitment to the EU and to good neighbourly relations. We have agreed to step up efforts related to the closure of Albania's new illegal immigration route. ”

Tusk: Albania a friend of EU in terms of migration security

Albania has been praised for its stance on the hot issue of refugees from Middle East and North Africa countries towards the EU. Following this Brussels assessment has added a condition for Albania: closing the new Ilgal immigration route from these countries in Albania to further target the EU. “Albania remains a good partner and an EU friend in terms of security and migration, where we have strong and stable co-operation. Today (13.07.2018) we agreed on the need to step up efforts to close Albania's new illegal immigration path.

The limited time and political situation in the country are the two main challenges Albania must face to succeed in June 2019. The opposition calls the government Rama “drug government and narcotics” and demands its collapse. President Tusk again emphasises the EU's well-known message that the parties must come together on issues of national importance, such as Albania's entry into the EU, which is supported by more than 90% of Albanians, he was quoted as saying Saturday that it is his hope and wish that „all Western pro-Western political forces in Albania work towards the same goal”.

Hahn: EC begins soon “setting” regarding the current stage of reforms in Albania

Preparational work for opening negotiations requires not only the co-operation of pro-Western political forces. It presupposes a big, comprehensive job in a technical way to scan what has been achieved and what needs to be achieved in all directions involved in the 35 negotiation chapters. And that's where the European Commission, (KE), quickly comes into play. “will arrive in Tirana next Thursday. We have agreed that our teams will start working immediately, before the summer holidays, to work in all directions, to ensure a clear, complete analysis of the” situation was quoted as saying by Commissioner Hahn at the joint press conference with Prime Minister Rama in Brussels.

The expectations are progress in justice reform, the continuation of Vetting, the establishment of new justice institutions, in line with constitutional reform, unanimously adopted by Parliament, two years ago, in July 2016. Without putting out the “fight against organised crime and corruption at all levels; reducing the phenomenon of Albanian asylum seekers in the EU” stressed commissioner Hahn.

Council of Europe Progress against corruption but still much to do

Albania should also report to the Council of Europe whether it has fulfilled its recommendations for fighting corruption. G RECO (Groupe d'Etats Contre la corruption) é Group of Anti-corruption states, an intergovernmental group established under the auspices of the Council of Europe, to take a critical look at the measures its members take to fight corruption, in the published report acknowledges Albania's progress in implementing recommendations to prevent corruption in MPs, judges and prosecutors. But notes that “needs to complete reforms”. Out of 10 GRECO recommendations, Albania has completed only four. G RECO urges Albanian authorities until 31 March 2019 to give a update of progress in implementing the remaining 6 recommendations. / DW