Brussels, 05/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - Underlining that “European integration is a national objective”, the leader of the Albanian Parliament, Ilir Meta, said on 5 December that candidate status for Albania - which the Council could grant on 17 December - “would encourage us to continue the reforms”. Meta told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee that this is “an important time for Albania and its aspirations to participate in the European process”. However, “whatever the decision” of the Council, “we want to continue on the path of reforms. They are not taken for Europe but for the citizens”, he said. “The Albanian government is indeed committed to continuing to accelerate the reforms in order to show that Albania is serious in its efforts to advance on the European path”, Meta added. “The support of European structures to our country is essential for continuing with this reform momentum”, he said.
Meta stressed that great efforts have been made in the fight against corruption and organised crime. “The objective is to advance with the support of the EU and member states”, he stated. He also highlighted the cooperation with countries of the region to fight against organised crime, which “is not only going to help us integrate the EU but is also going to encourage foreign investors to come. This is crucial for economic development and for improving the standard of living”. Albania is also soon begin cooperation with Europol.
In addition, Meta said that the Albanian Parliament has begun to work on a plan to be able to respond effectively to the different demands and to strengthen the effectiveness of its work following the European Commission's report in October - which recommends that candidate status be granted and calls for progress in five areas to be able to open the negotiations (see EUROPE 10944). (CG/transl.fl)