TIRANA – Albanian Minister of Integration, Klajda Gjosha, and EC Director General for EU Neighborhood and Enlargement, Christian Danielsson, discussed yesterday in Tirana the progress report on Albania released the previous week in Brussels.
At a joint news conference after the meeting, Danielsson said that opening of accession negotiations depends on implementation of justice reform and Vetting law, in particular.
“What we expect from Albania is explicit implementation of justice reform and the law on reassessment of judges and prosecutors,” he said.
The Commission has made it clear in the report that we expect to see continued hard work and implementation of justice reform but also when it comes to other 5 priorities and their elements in particular. It is about the consolidation of the progress that has been made but also moving forward in the fight against crime, corruption, reform in public administration, respect for minority rights as well as implementation of the electoral law which is crucial to further progress of Albania,” Danielsson said.
Danielsson assured that EC will continue to support Albania in implementation of reforms, justice overhaul concerning which some EUR 70 mln will be allocated.
As to a date for the opening of accession negotiations, the European official said that recommendation of Commission will be discussed by member countries which will deliver their judgment in December this year.
However, as it happens in the process of enlargement, it will be the efforts and merits of Albania that determine the next steps it will take.
The positive recommendation the EC has given, according to Danielsson, is clear: the opening of negotiations will be up to the credible and efficacious implementation of justice reform and Vetting in particular.
The Minister of Integration, Klajda Gjosha, said that recommendation will help sustain dialogue also emphasizing the importance of paying heed to every line of the report.
Enforcement of Vetting law is far more important than the opening of accession negotiations.