On Wednesday 15 February, the European Parliament gave its support to opening accession negotiations with Albania, on the condition that reforms, particularly in the legal field, are implemented.
In the report by Knut Fleckenstein (S&D, Germany) on the Commission’s 2016 report on Albania, which MEPs overwhelmingly adopted by 546 votes in favour, 85 against, with 62 abstentions, Parliament therefore gave its full backing to, “Albania’s accession to the EU and requests that accession negotiations are opened as soon as credible and sustainable progress in the implementation of comprehensive legal reform and the fight against organised crime and corruption is made, in an effort to maintain the pace of reform”. Parliament also expects reforms to be consolidated in the implementation of all key priorities of reform in the legal arena and administration, human rights, the fight against corruption and organised crime. MEPs explain that, “Not only coherent adoption but also comprehensive and timely implementation of the reforms on the five major essential priorities, as well as a sustained political commitment to making progress in the EU accession process”. MEPs are therefore calling on all the political parties to step up their efforts to develop genuine political dialogue and constructive cooperation which they say is, “essential to the success of the reforms and entire EU accession process”.
Parliament points out that free and fair elections are a crucial part of the accession process and it calls on the appropriate authorities to ensure implementation of electoral reform “in good time before the next general election in June 2017”.
MEPs are also proposing to examine ways of stepping up cooperation with the Albanian parliament in an effort to improve its ability to develop quality legislation, in compliance with the Union acquis and exert its control of the application of these reforms. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)