TIRANA, Nov. 21 – Albania’s prime minister and key members of his cabinet are lobbying in key European capitals ahead of an important decision next month on whether Albania will be granted official EU candidate status.
Although the executive branch of the European Union has already recommended that Albania be granted the status, which the country has been awaiting for since it officially applied for membership in 2009, there are worries that some EU members, including Germany and the Netherlands, remain skeptical whether Albania deserves the status. It will be up to foreign ministers of individual member states to give their stamp of approval on the candidate status next month.
In several meetings this week, top Albanian officials have tried to reassure leaders in EU individual member states that the country will do whatever it takes to implement EU-related reforms.
Albanian, British PMs meet in London
London supports Albania’s efforts to joiun the European Union, the Albanian government said after Prime Minister Edi Rama made a visit to London Wednesday, where he met with his British counterpart David Cameron.
In a brief press release, the Albanian government said the two discussed the Albanian efforts for membership in the European Union, speaking in detail on the reforms undertaken by the Albanian government especially in the fight against organized crime and corruption.
They also talked on bilateral issues, like the economic and commercial ties and both considered bilateral ties as “excellent.”
Very little else was made public from the meeting and the two prime ministers did not speak to the media afterward.
Rama also attended and spoke at a conference of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development while in London.
Foreign minister seeks support in Berlin
Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati made a visit to Berlin where he met with senior German government officials and parliamentarians.
Bushati also met with his German counterpart, Guido Westerwelle. Bushati urged Germany to support Albania’s work for membership into the European Union.
Developments in Albania were also part of the talks. Bushati also discussed bilateral issues with Germany, which has been a main supporter to post-communist Albania in the last two decades. Bushati said that Tirana has set Italy, Greece and Turkey as strategic partners in the region but he insisted that Germany was seen as a key contributor and Tirana expected a strong support from Berlin in its EU integration efforts.
“Germany remains a serious and solid partner,” said Bushati.
Integration, interior and justice minister lobby in Brussels
Three other key government ministers are this week heading to Brussels, where they will meet with top European Union officials to discuss Albania’s efforts to join the bloc.
European Integration Minister Klajda Gjosha, Justice Minister Nasip Naco and Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri started Thursday a visit to Brussels considered to be an important opportunity for the new Albanian government.
The visit is held only a few weeks before the meeting of the EU’s Council of Ministers that is expected to decide whether Albania will get the candidate status or not.
That status received a green light by the European Commission in October.
The Albanian ministers will hold a series of meetings with senior official at the European Commission and other EU institutions. They will report on the steps they have undertaken to complete the priorities set by EU officials.
Albania’s new government, in power since mid-September, has set European Union membership as its main target and goal.
