Albania’s SAA enters into force

TIRANA, April 6 – The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Union and Albania signed in June 2006 came into effect on 1 April 2009, taking the country another step forward on the road to European integration.
The full implementation of the Agreement will also create a new climate for the development of trade and investment which are crucial factors for the economic restructuring and modernization of the country.
The Agreement commits the parties to further work on political, economic and institutional stabilization of the country, institution building and public administration reform, enhanced trade and economic co-operation, legal approximation with the Community acquis and strengthened co-operation on justice and domestic affairs.
The full implementation of the Agreement will also create a new climate for the development of trade and investment which are crucial factors for the economic restructuring and modernization of the country.
Albania remains determined to coordinate with the EU Czech Presidency, EU Member States and the EU Commission in its further steps for the advancement of the country’s European integration process with the application for the candidate status until the end of June.
But the opposition parties, especially the main Socialist Party, have accused the government of failing to respect the EU’s advice about applying for candidate status.
They alleged that instead the government should guarantee the elections in June are democratic.
The EU Enlargement Commissioner has made it clear that the June 28 elections are fundamental to the country’s further progress to the integration process.