TIRANA TIMES – TIRANA, April 9
Albania is currently involved and committed into an intensive diplomatic effort along its EU integration efforts.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ralf Gjoni and Ambassador in France Ylljet Alickaj talked to the French press saying that European integration is a priority for the country.
After filing its application for EU membership in April 2009, Tirana has been working to complete the questionnaire of the European Commission to assess the capacity of countries to join the 27. Responses should be delivered this month to the Commission. They were be examined by the European Commission.
Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia have obtained an easing of visa regime in December 2009. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo had been removed. They expect it to get the visa-free regime this year.
Gjoni said on visa liberalization that Tirana “wants a positive decision in 2010.” He added that “Albania has met all technical criteria.” The European Commission has recently completed a new mission to verify compliance with all criteria and is expected to decide soon.
“For citizens of Albania, the EU is freedom of movement,” said Gjoni.
The liberalization of visas is eagerly awaited by the Albanian citizens who, after many years of isolation, are eager to move freely,” he insisted.
The year 2010 could be the year of Europe in Albania: the country could get the official candidate status and the easing of visa regime.
Alickaj told a conference center last week that European integration was a “top priority” for Albania.
The progress of Tirana, however, depends on its ability to resolve the internal political crisis. The enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele has said he was “concerned about the stability of democratic institutions in Albania and the lack of political dialogue in Parliament.”
Asked about the enlargement fatigue of European citizens, Gjoni acknowledged a feeling of fear could exist but it was unjustified. Instead, “Albania is not a risk but a contribution” for Europe. “It is in the interest of Brussels have an Albania within the EU rather than outside,” he added.
