Brussels, 10/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 6 March, at the end of the second high-level dialogue meeting in Albania, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle called for a spirit of compromise, political inclusion and continued reform in the country. He emphasised that “the currently increasingly confrontational political climate may put at risk Albania's achievements”. He therefore called on the government and opposition to “demonstrate a spirit of compromise and inclusiveness in view of working efficiently together to address Albania's EU integration challenges”, and said that the policy of confrontation does not help the process of European integration. He reiterated that the member states are following the situation closely. The heads of state and government are due to meet in June to decide whether to grant candidate status to this country. In the meantime, Albania is expected to continue to produce concrete results on the five key priorities, with particular emphasis on anti-corruption reform, the fight against organised crime and reforms to the judiciary, explained Füle.
Füle explained that “it is now up to Albania to maintain and increase the reform momentum and address a number of challenges in the areas under the key priorities, with particular attention to the rule [of] law”. In addition to the fight against corruption and organised crime and judicial reform, the commissioner highlighted the need to reform the public administrative apparatus and ensure respect for human rights and intellectual property.
During the high-level dialogue, Fule highlighted “the importance of ensuring coherence and an inclusive approach to all reforms undertaken by Albania” by taking into due consideration the country's EU agenda. He added that systematic consultation and participation from Parliament, as well as other stakeholders in the reform process, would be decisive.
The third meeting of high-level dialogue is due to take place in June. (CG)