Brussels, 20/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - Albania intends to submit an application for membership of the EU on Tuesday 21 April during a visit of the Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, to the Czech Republic. The application will be accompanied by a letter presenting the progress made by Albania in its reforms, and its commitments to continue with these, the Minister for European Integration, Majlinda Bregu, has announced. The Albanian opposition criticised the fact that the application is to be made before the legislative elections of 28 June, interpreting it as an electoral manoeuvre. The European Commission has regularly advised the Albanian authorities to wait before its application, as least until after the June elections which, according to Olli Rehn, will be an "important test" of the political maturity and European perspectives of the country. The Enlargement Commissioner has also frequently stressed that the EU will not be able to give a favourable response to an accession application until the country in question has proved that it is capable of respecting all of its commitments under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). The SAA with Albania only entered into force on 1 April 2009. (H.B./transl.fl)