Corruption, organized crime remain Albania’s major challenges, EU says

BRUSSELS, Dec. 10 – The Council noted that Albania has made progress in a number of areas, but underlined that good governance and rule of law, in particular the fight against corruption and organized crime, remain major challenges requiring sustained efforts.
The Council had an exchange of views on the Commission’s communication on “Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2007-2008” and the accompanying Progress Reports on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo as defined by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. The Council broadly shared the assessment made by the European Commission.
Aware that the year ahead will be an important one in consolidating the transition process in the Western Balkans, the Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union and reconfirmed its continued support of the region’s integration into the EU. The EU engagement through the Stabilization and Association process has made a significant contribution to the progress achieved in recent years by the countries of the region. These achievements now need to be built on and made irreversible. Recalling the European Council Conclusions of December 2006, the Council reiterated that each country progresses from one stage to the next, when it has fulfilled the established conditions. Provided the conditions are fulfilled, Stabilization and Associations Agreements could be signed with the remaining Western Balkans countries at the earliest opportunity. The Council considered that the challenges faced by the countries of the Western Balkan region warrant greater focus on key reform priorities, which relate to state-building, rule of law, reconciliation, administrative and judicial reform, and the fight against corruption and organized crime. Strong progress on these issues, hand in hand with sustainable economic and social development, will enable the countries of the region to move forward in building modern democracies and in developing a political culture of dialogue and tolerance.
The Council recalled the importance of regional cooperation and good neighborly relations and of the need to find mutually acceptable solutions on outstanding issues with neighboring countries. It welcomed the progress made in regional cooperation, in areas such as trade, energy, transport and the environment and expressed the hope that this would continue, including in the relevant regional flora and initiatives. The Council noted with satisfaction that the Western Balkan countries will take increased responsibility for regional cooperation with the transition from the Stability Pact to the Regional Cooperation Council.
The Council welcomed the Commission’s intention to present a communication early in 2008, in which it takes stock of developments and points the way forward in following up the Thessaloniki Agenda, as well as the Salzburg communication, on promoting the course of the countries of the Western Balkans towards the EU. In this context, the Council invited the Commission to further explore possibilities to promote people-to-people contacts as well as civil society development. Recalling its 18 June conclusions, the Council expressed its readiness to hold a discussion during the first half of 2008 on these issues, based on the Commission’s communication, as well as on Member States’ contributions.
The Council noted that Albania has made progress in a number of areas, but emphasized that good governance and rule of law, in particular the fight against corruption and organized crime, remain major challenges requiring sustained efforts. Noting progress made in the areas of the protection of minorities and freedom of expression, the Council stressed the importance of Albania continuing to make improvements in these areas. The Council encouraged all political forces to contribute to a constructive dialogue in moving reforms forward, notably in the electoral and judicial fields. The Council noted that Albania is smoothly implementing its trade commitments under the Interim Agreement and pointed out that a sustained and effective track record of implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement is essential for further progress towards joining the European Union. The Council also underscored the importance of Albania’s continued constructive and stabilizing role in the region.