Albanian hands over progress report on visa liberalization

TIRANA, Jan 14 – Albania handed over to the European Union a progress report that is to be evaluated concerning the request for visa liberalization for Albania.
Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha said that following that, four EU missions would come to Albania beginning next month to evaluate the report. Then it is up to the EU’s Council to decide whether Albanians may freely travel in Europe.
Albania has signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, considered to be a first step toward membership.
It will likely ask to begin negotiations on candidate status this year.
Integration Minister Majlinda Bregu has said that the authorities have compiled all the answers needed for the EU and it is up to the central government to decide when to formally make the request for the candidate status talks to the EU.
Berisha has said Tirana will likely make that request this month.