The European Union’s executive branch has endorsed Albania’s bid for candidate status, marking a long-awaited step in the country’s EU integration process.
TIRANA, Oct. 17 – The European Union’s executive branch has recommended Albania granted official candidate status for membership in the bloc, marking a long-awaited endorsement for the country’s EU integration process.
In its annual progress report, the European Commission said on Wednesday that it is proposing Albania should be granted the status based on the advancement made so far without setting specific conditions as it had done in the past.
A final decision on the matter is made by the EU Council of Ministers in December, based on the decisions of member states.
Albania applied for the status in 2009, after fulfilling the implementation of the EU Association and Stabilization Agreement. But since then Brussels had set a series of priorities that the country had to fulfill, delaying the status decision.
However, with some political consensus on reforms restored and holding elections deemed to have met the best international standards, Albania now appears to have made enough progress, to convince the commission to offer an unconditional recommendation.
However, EU officials said that as it will be the EU Council of Ministers in December to offer final approval, Albania should continue working to comply with other important reforms.
Among the next priorities for Albania, based on the EU report, are strengthening the rule of law as well as fighting corruption and organized crime.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule presented the individual progress reports to journalists.
“Enlargement continues despite the financial crisis but continues not because it is on autopilot but because it’s a credible policy, a policy which accompanies another important policy of the EU – deepening the integration,” he said.
Fule said that what is required from the applying countries, Albania included, is: “Fundamentals first. What is fundamental? Rule of law, fight against corruption but also economic issues, competitiveness, we want the candidate countries joining the EU to be ready also in the economic terms.”
European Commission remains a supporter of candidate and aspirant countries on their very important road to become full members of the European Union, he added.
Among the first to react after the news was Albania’s European Integration Minister Klajda Gjosha said the “process of European integration will be on top of the agenda for the new governing majority.”
PM: Time to work harder,
not celebrate
Prime Minister Edi Rama hailed the endorsement given to Albania. But he also said there was no time for celebration but time to start a more intensive work toward the integration process. He said he was pleased with the hint in the EU’s progress report on the possibility that Albania may start the accession membership talks in a near future, which mark the next step in the EU bid.
Rama said they were “encouraged by the European Commission’s proposal” adding that the status this time came without conditions set a year ago, because they were now met.
Rama said that holding of the June 23 elections in line with democratic standards was “the unfulfilled condition” mentioned a year ago, adding that the fight against corruption and organized crime remained top lines and priorities in the future.
The premier said that the “fight against corruption, strengthening of the judicial system, reform of the administration and fundamental human rights” were the goals of work toward the launch of the accession negotiations.
At the same time, Rama said the progress report supported the government’s efforts to implement the new public service law, thus supporting the government decision to postpone its application until the complete set of by-laws are approved in six months.
“We have been voted to lead and the opposition to check our lead,” he said, insisting the government will continue to look for political consensus with the opposition through dialogue. But he also added that “we shall listen very attentively and continuously. But we will lead.”
EU Ambassador Ettore Sequi also hailed Albania for getting the candidate status endorsement for the European Commission.
He also repeated that the fight against corruption and organized crime remained the two key priorities Albania should focus on, to be followed also with the reform in the administration, respect of the fundamental human rights and the rule of law.
“It is essential that the integration process is a national effort and an inclusive process,” he said. “We believe that constructive and sustainable political dialogue is of key importance.”
Rama has previously acknowledged that the previous government shares the credit for the endorsement, but former Prime Minister Sali Berisha said in a statement that Rama does not deserve any praise because he found all the work done. Berisha had earlier accused Rama of purposefully hampering Albania’s integration efforts for political gain.
Annual EU report spells progress
The annual progress report prepared by the European Commission covers the period from October 2012 to September 2013. The commission reports regularly to the EU Council of Minister and the European Parliament on the progress made by the countries of the Western Balkans region toward European integration, assessing their efforts to comply with the Copenhagen criteria and the conditions of the Stabilization and Association Process.
The annual progress report briefly describes the relations between Albania and the European Union; analyses the situation in Albania in terms of the political criteria for membership; analyses the situation in Albania on the basis of the economic criteria for membership; reviews Albania’s capacity to take on the obligations of membership, i.e. the acquis expressed in the Treaties, the secondary legislation, and the policies of the Union.
Brusselsmeasures progress on the basis of decisions taken, legislation adopted and measures implemented.
A year ago, the commission had recommended thatAlbania be granted candidate status subject to the completion of key measures in the areas of judicial and public administration reform and revision of parliament’s rules of procedure. In December 2012 with a view to deciding whether to grant candidate status, the council invited the commission to report to the Council as soon as necessary progress has been achieved, also taking into account the further action taken by Albania to fight corruption and organized crime, including by proactive investigations and prosecutions of such cases.
Regarding the opening of negotiations, the council stressed that sustained implementation of reforms and fulfillment of all key priorities would be necessary.
“Despite a tense and often polarized political climate in the run-up to the general elections in the first half of 2013, Albania continued its efforts on reforms in all areas under the key priorities. The conduct of the elections of 23 June, which resulted in a clear victory for the opposition Socialist Party-led coalition Alliance for European Albania, was positively assessed by the international election observation mission. The then incumbent Prime Minister promptly conceded defeat, paving the way for a smooth change of government,” the repot noted.
The report also hailed an improvement of the functioning of parliament. But added that it is important that cooperation between the government and the opposition functions well to provide a solid basis for further reforms.
On the government it hailed the fact that it continued its EU integration and political reform efforts, in the run-up to the elections, in the post-election period and after the new government took office.
The new government will need to focus immediately on strengthening strategic planning and budgeting and on improving coordination at central level and/with local level. EU-related reforms, monitoring of implementation, follow-up and corrective action need to be intensified, according to the report.
It also added that local democracy and fiscal decentralization need to be promoted. Even greater efforts are needed to enforce effectiveness, transparency, inclusiveness and strategic planning, fighting politicization and corruption. Closer coordination between central and local government is needed, including strengthening the role of local government associations.
The EU Commission noted progress has been made in public administration reform and a major step taken on this key priority with the adoption of the Civil Service Law. It now needs urgent implementation to enforce merit-based practice. Further efforts are needed to depoliticize the public administration, ensure continuity, fight corruption, strengthen meritocracy in appointments, promotions and dismissals, and increase its efficiency and financial sustainability, the report notes.
Albania has continued overall to act as a constructive partner in the region, it ads.
On the economy, the report said thatwhile growth remained positive, Albania experienced a slowdown in 2012 due to weak private domestic spending, which also extended to the first quarter of 2013. Macroeconomic stability has been maintained. Low inflation and anchored inflation expectations created room for monetary policy easing, but the pass-through to the economy remains limited.
Fiscal planning and predictability remain a concern, especially following theabolition of the debt anchor. Unemployment remains high. External imbalances have narrowed but are still high, reflecting persisting structural weaknesses.
“The banking system remains well capitalized and liquid. However, non-performing loans remain a cause for concern, while the sharp deceleration of credit growth is detrimental to the economy,” the report notes. “There is significant scope for redirecting investment into growth-enhancing areas such as telecommunications and human capital, and for better-focused policies promoting innovation initiatives and cooperation between the education sector and industry.”
There has been some progress in the area of freedom of movement forworkers, notably in improving EU citizens’ access to the Albanian labor market. But it adds that preparations in the area of freedom of movement for workers are at an early stage.
The report notes that the independence of the media and of its regulatory authority still gives rise to concern, and the digital switchover has been further delayed, putting at stake the timely implementation of the process.
Albania has made some progress in judicial reform by adopting various policiesaimed at addressing the key priorities. Significant gaps remain in terms of both the legislative framework and the implementation of legislation. Further constitutional reform is necessary.
Progress has also been made in the fight against corruption. Independent institutions need to be strengthened, the report notes.
Major effortsare necessary to address persisting problems in the area of property rights through credible and coherent measures. Albania needs to adopt and communicate a credible plan for the enforcement of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights regarding property rights.
Albania has made further progress in the area of justice, freedom and security, in particular inborder management, and in the fight against organized crime, money laundering and drugs trafficking. More efforts are needed to enhance cooperation between law enforcement institutions, and to establish a solid and convincing track record of proactive criminal and financial investigations, prosecutions and convictions, according to the report.
