Brussels, 14/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 14 April, the European Parliament said that Albania should speed up its reforms, particularly of the rule of law, the judicial system, general anti-corruption and the fight against organised crime, public administration and fundamental rights, if it wants to enter EU accession talks.
In a resolution on the 2015 report on Albania by Knut Fleckenstein (S&D, Germany) that they adopted, the MEPs call on the Albanian authorities to undertake effective economic reforms to curb the large parallel economy, paying particular attention to the programme to restore a healthy budget and reduce public debt.
The MEPs say that along with other priorities, it is crucial for effective legislative and policy measures to be taken to protect human rights, the rights of minorities and anti-discrimination policies. The EP wants the authorities to deal with irregularities noted during the municipal elections of June 2015 and invites them to do all they can to prepare free and fair general elections, warning that the general elections in 2017 will be an important test for Albania's process of joining the EU.
All political parties should continue their efforts to institute a more constructive and more authentic political dialogue to allow the adoption and application of essential reforms, say the MEPs, noting that sustainable collaboration between the government and opposition at the parliament is of capital importance for Albania's accession process.
The EP praises the constructive interlocutor role that Tirana continues to play in the region and its 'continued political will' to improve relations with Serbia. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)