Brussels, 30/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Commission will be in Tirana on Friday to open talks with a view to concluding a stabilisation and association agreement with Albania. While there, Romano Prodi is expected to reaffirm the European Commission's support for the reform process initiated by the Albanian authorities and to recall the prospects of integration not only for Tirana but also for the neighbouring Balkan countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). Romano Prodi will meet President Alfred Moisiu, Prime Minister Fatos Nano and Foreign Minister Ilir Meta. A meeting is also foreseen with the opposition leader, Sali Berisha, and with the Mayor of Tirana. The Commission President will also address the Parliament.
Romano Prodi will officially open negotiations with a view to a stabilisation and association agreement within the framework of the mandate granted by the General Affairs Council on 20 and 21 October (see EUROPE of 21 and 22 October 2002, p.6). On this occasion, he will recall the principles that govern agreements of this kind and will call upon the Albanian authorities to do everything they can to implement the agreement in an appropriate way as soon as it is concluded. The stabilisation and association agreements are the cornerstone of the stabilisation and association process, the aim of which is to support rapprochement between the countries of south-eastern Europe and the EU. These agreements mainly contain provisions relating to political dialogue, regional cooperation, trade, the movement of goods, persons and capital, the freedom of establishment, as well as questions relating to justice and home affairs.