Corruption fight is core to EU membership steps, says Croatian president

TIRANA, Jan. 24 – President of the Republic Bamir Topi and President of Croatia Ivo Josipovic expressed on Monday their readiness to deepen bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic domain.
Josipovic came to Albania in a two-day visit to meet with all local top officials, including: Parliament Speaker Jozefina Topalli, Prime Minister Sali Berisha, opposition Socialist Party leader Edi Rama and Tirana Mayor Lulzim Basha.
Just a day after Croatians had given their pro vote to the membership into the European Union, Josipovic pledged support for Albania’s EU integration, while adding that reception of the candidacy status on its 100th independence anniversary would be a great gift.
The Albanian President reaffirmed the excellent relations between the two countries, while appreciating especially the level of bilateral political dialogue. He congratulated President Josipovic on Croatia2 s referendum vote in favor of EU membership. Topi also noted the constructive and peaceful role that Albania and Croatia play in regional policy, while asking Josipovic to contribute to the inclusion of Kosova in regional initiatives. During this meeting the potential operation of a Zagreb-Tirana airline and Durres-Rijeka ferry line was also discussed.
The two countries also signed an agreement on recognizing each other’s driving licenses
But what Albania should give attention to is Josipovic’s words on the fight against corruption. The Croatian president made it clear that his country got the positive response for EU membership only after the judiciary there made a direct and real fight against corruption, starting with the arrest of the former country’s premier Ivo Sanader. The corruption fight is not only done with the political will from the top government officials and other politicians but it also directly affects the whole population.
Fighting corruption remains the Achilles’ heel for Albania in its road toward membership. That is also closely linked with the corruption among the judiciary.
Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Ettore Sequi said in a meeting this week that: “Justice Reform is a top priority, key to the country’s integration aspirations and therefore an area the EU pays great attention to. It is important to see comprehensive and convincing progress in this key priority for Albania to progress in the EU Integration path and to demonstrate that the country has institutions able to exercise democratic governance and protect fundamental rights.”
The European Union has been allocating in the last 15 years almost 100 million Euros to the Albanian justice system with the provision of courts buildings, offices for judges and prosecutors, prisons and reintegration centers, legislation, trainings and education, and equipment for the Albanian justice institutions with the objective to increase the quality of services delivered to Albanian citizens.