Brussels, 04/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 3 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said in Tirana that Albania's adoption of the reform of its judiciary could enable its accession negotiations to be opened. Albania obtained its EU accession candidate status in June 2014 (see EUROPE 11107).
“It's time to move to the next level. You want this and we do too. For this, (…) a full and in-depth reform of the judiciary is the number one point on the agenda. This reform would pave the way for the Commission to recommend the start of the negotiations and for the member states to take a positive decision”, she said in a speech to the Albanian Parliament. During a press conference with Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama, Mogherini spoke of the support of the Albanians in this reform.
The reform is “fundamental for opening the door to the negotiations with the EU”, Rama stated. He added that Albania would continue doing what was necessary, not only on the five priorities laid down by the EU (Ed: the administration, the judiciary, the fight against corruption, the fight against organised crime, and human rights). “We deserve the opening of the negotiations to become a member of the EU as soon as possible”, he said.
Mogherini and Rama also discussed the migration crisis in Europe and Albania's role in regional cooperation.
At the Parliament, Mogherini underlined the importance of a true political dialogue. “There is a dramatic lack of trust and dialogue among the parties. Accepting the opposition as a legitimate actor and not as an enemy (…) is crucial for democracy”, she said. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)