Juncker: Albania has made progress on the road to the EU, but...

The decision on opening membership negotiations with Albania could be taken in the coming months declared European Commission head Jean Claude Juncker in Brussels.

“Albania has made considerable progress on its path to the EU. This is a testament to the strength of the Albanian people, as well as the prime minister's personal commitment to reforms”, he said at a press conference.

Juncker cited the fact that 88% of Albanian citizens have a positive sense of the European bloc and 92% support the goal of membership, which makes Albania one of the European countries with the strongest support for the EU. Citing the European Commission's positive report, his number one stressed that Albania should be given green light for starting negotiations, initiated, and that any such decision is based on merit and tangible results in certain areas.

However, there was one more but... According to Juncker, there are some obstacles that must be overcome because some bloc member states are not in favour of such a move.

“Work does not end in June, despite the Council of Ministers decision”, Juncker added. The same had earlier stated the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, who said he supports opening membership negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia, but warned that not all European Union member states agree to that assessment.

One of the things that is currently causing concern in the EU is the current political situation, following President Meta's announcement that he will cancel the June 30th elections. The EC head said people should not be banned from exercising their democratic rights. “Can't block the Albanian people's ability to express themselves; I think elections should be held according to plan. If not, this could delay Albania's European perspective, Juncker stressed. /tch/