Kocijanciq: Enlargement, which benefits all of Europe

It has met the conditions for opening membership negotiations, said the enlargement process with it takes many steps and brings benefits to Europe.

“Enlargement is a process that requires meeting precise political and economic criteria with harmonisation with EU legislation. There are many steps on this road. No one can say that all the criteria have been fulfilled, but what is needed for future steps has been met and this is not the end of work”, Kocijanciq said.

She recalled the fact that the EU enlargement policy is a “geostrategic investment in peace, stability, security and economic development throughout Europe”.

Following the publication of this year's European Commission Progress Report on countries in the enlargement process, estimates came from several member states that are contrary to the Commission's findings, mainly when it comes to findings in Albania's rule of law.

Following the request for the suspension of visa liberalisation for Albanian citizens, the Netherlands' Parliament rejected the opening of accession talks with Tirana, due to problems with organised crime, Kosovo Presses broadcasts.

At the same time, German Bundestag, as well as France's President Emmanuel Macron, said Albania's results in the area of rule of law are not convincing.

The European Commission said recommendations for opening membership negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia are based on objective information on “the establishment and generous results of Tirana and Skopje's”.

“Fighting organised crime and corruption is one of the priorities. It is an obligation the entire region will take over and this job continues “, Kocijanciq concluded.