Brussels, 19/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - The EU/Albania Association and Stabilisation Council met for the first time on Monday 18 May in Brussels. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Albania entered into force on 1 April this year. Last month, Tirana formally submitted its demand for EU accession. On Monday, with Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha present, the EU troika stressed that good governance, enhancement of the rule of law, tackling corruption and organised crime and improving administrative capacity were the challenges on which Albanian had to take “resolute action” as a priority. It must also ensure that the general election scheduled for 28 June is free and fair, the EU said. In area of economics, the EU welcomed the implementation of the interim SAA and the progress it has made in aligning its legislation and capacity with European standards. (H.B./transl.rh/rt)