Luxembourg, 15/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - Welcoming the Commission's 2012 progress report on 10 October which recommends candidate status for Albania if it fulfils certain conditions, the Albanian minister for foreign affairs, Edmond Panariti, thought that it would be realistic for these conditions to be fulfilled before the European Council in December. “I think that it is possible to entirely pass these laws during this limited time we have until December, when the Council of Ministers of the European Union will ultimately decide on the status. The situation is optimistic”, he said.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha proved less optimistic on the date. “As we are on the threshold of the electoral campaign, patience is needed, and after the elections we show we deserve the opening of negotiations”, he said, adding that he is committed to a free and fair electoral process. He said that the report is the most important document received from Brussels until now and he described it as historic.
Having stated that the recommendations that remain to be observed are totally achievable, President Bujar Nishani said that he is convinced that the Albanian political class and the actors included in the process will continue to contribute and are dedicated to fulfilling these recommendations in order to share the outcome together.
The president and his ministers hailed the contribution of the Albanian people, including the opposition, in order to arrive at this result. “I have an unwavering high appreciation of the contribution the opposition has made”, Berisha said, also hailing the “great support” of the Albanians in the European integration of their country. (CG/transl.fl)