Albania, EU review progress for Albania membership in EU

TIRANA, June 5 – The Albanian authorities, and those of the European Union, held the 16th consultative joint group meeting in Brussels to evaluate the country’s progress in a number of areas set in the European Partnership document, according to the Albanian Ministry of Integration.
Those issues include electoral reform, property return, freedom of expression, and human and minority rights, said a statement.
Europeans asked Albania to make a more intensive effort towards electoral reform and also to speed up work on the return of previously confiscated property, which were vital for the improvement of the investment climate in the country.
Europe also asked Albania to make increased efforts to improve living standards of prisoners in its jails and continue fighting organized crime.
Complying with full respect of human rights of minorities, including their exact registration and employment, were among other top priorities Albania should focus on as it progresses towards European integration. In 2006, Albania signed the Stabilization Association Agreement, which is a first step towards full membership, though it does not set an exact date for becoming a member.
The SAA has already been ratified by parliaments of 12 EU member countries.