Brussels, 18/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 17 December, the European affairs ministers decided to postpone the decision on granting candidate status to Albania until June 2014, on the basis of a report presented by the European Commission. “Granting the status is only a question of time” said Lithuania's Foreign Affairs Minister Linas Linkevicius at the end of the Council. “We have a clear meeting in June”, said Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle, expecting Albania to obtain the status “as long as it maintains the good work that is under way”.
In its conclusions, the Council will examine - on the basis of the Commission report - the continued implementation of anti-corruption and judicial reform strategies, and recently adopted relevant legislation as well as the continued trend of proactive investigations and prosecutions - including in the area of organised crime. “In the light of this report, and on the understanding that Albania continues to build on the encouraging progress made so far, the Council looks forward to a decision regarding granting candidate status to Albania in June 2014, subject to endorsement by the European Council”, the ministers state. Welcoming the action taken in the fight against corruption and organised crime, and the commitment of the new government, they encourage intensified efforts in these areas and call on the authorities to maintain this new momentum.
The ministers state that the European Council will examine the opening of accession negotiations once the Commission has assessed that Albania has achieved the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria, in connection with the key priorities. The Council underlines that Tirana must intensify its efforts on the rule of law area, “particularly reform of the judiciary, the fight against organised crime and corruption, and the protection of human rights and anti-discrimination policies, (…) and implementation of property rights”. The sustained implementation of reforms will also be required. The Council encourages the Albanian government to pursue its policy aimed at improving economic governance and the investment climate, and it welcomes Albania's “constructive engagement” in regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations.
The Council reiterates that the “constructive and sustainable” dialogue between the government and opposition on EU-related reforms will be vital in securing Albania's EU future. (CG/transl.fl)