Brussels, 12/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - In its progress report on Tuesday 10 November, the European Commission announced that Albania, which has been an EU accession candidate country since 2014, must implement reforms in priority areas - mainly by completing the overall reform of its judicial system - in order to be able to open accession negotiations.
The Commission states that Albania has made “steady progress” as regards the political criteria, “by continuing to implement and consolidate reforms in the rule of law area”. The country has adopted “key legislation” and comprehensive reform strategies, the report adds. Now it is “essential to build on the progress made and keep the reform momentum”. In addition to the judicial reforms, Tirana must obtain “further tangible results” in the area of rule of law, including in the fight against corruption and organised crime. The Commission adds that the protection of fundamental rights needs to be strengthened and that a more constructive cross-party political dialogue remains “essential for the continuity of the EU reform process”.
Macroeconomic stability has been preserved, but Albania is moderately prepared in developing a functioning market economy, the Commission states, adding that significant investment in human and physical capital is necessary to improve Albania's competitiveness.
The Commission also calls for the Albanian authorities to continue their efforts to fight against the growing number of “clearly unfounded” asylum requests made by Albanians. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)