TIRANA, July 3 – The European Union is committed to enlargement in the region despite difficulties inside the bloc and growing skepticism among voters, representatives of the EU and member states said this week in Tirana.
The Italian presidency of the European Union, which started this week, will pay special attention to the process of enlargement towards the Western Balkans, Italian Ambassador Massimo Gaiani said in a press conference.
Presenting the objectives of the Italian presidency, Gaiani said that enlargement is a strategic priority and an essential instrument for the promotion of peace, democracy and security in Europe.
“Italy will take every diplomatic and political initiative to keep the subject [of enlargement] in the center of the European agenda and to assist candidate countries to progress in their European integration while meeting the needed conditions,” Gaiani said.
Italy has been one of the main supporters of European integration of Albania, which received candidate status for membership on June 27. Italian Foreign Minister Federica will be in Tirana on July 25 to express further support, the ambassador said.
Italy is not alone in its support for Albania’s EU bid, but the few countries in the region that are yet to join the EU face reluctance among many EU members – particularly in the wealthy Northwest – which are suffering from enlargement fatigue fueled by concerns over economic costs, rising Euroscepticism and disappointment with democratic progress in the EU’s newer members. Countries like the UK, Germany and France want to implement stricter standards for the Western Balkans because as in Romania and Bulgaria, corruption and organized crime are major problems in the region.
Focus on unity at home, Barroso says in farewell visit
But EU’s vision for Albania inside the European Union is unwavering, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said this week.
He was in Tirana on Monday for a farewell visit in which he urged Albanian politicians to set their differences aside and focus on the reforms required in the country’s bid for European Union membership. He came to Tirana shortly after the EU decision last week to grant Albania candidate membership status, considered the first major step in Albania’s long path to full membership in the 28-nation bloc.
In his comments during the visit, Barroso said the Socialist-led government and the opposition Democratic Party should focus on EU-demanded efforts to tackle organized crime and corruption and bring Albania’s judiciary and administration up to European standards. Barroso also warned that Albania’s economy remains “vulnerable” and said structural reforms are necessary to ensure long-term growth.
He was clear that the candidate status “turns an important page in Albania’s history and will certainly initiate a promising new phase,” which he said, “will give additional impetus to Albania’s reform agenda and to further progress on your European path.”
Barroso also said that such a decision from the European Council shows that EU promise on enlargement “is not just a paper exercise. It is real. The EU’s commitment to this perspective remains firm. EU enlargement remains high on the agenda.”
He also made it clear that Albania’s EU prospect is primarily in its hands.
“Enlargement is of course no self-fulfilling prophecy. It is not a one-way street. It requires political vision, courage and hard work,” Barroso said in his speech to the Albanian parliament. He added that “it takes two to tango, and European citizens have to know that once you join the European Union this means that you are indeed fully ready to do so and take on all obligations of membership.”
Barroso added that fighting organized crime and corruption and raising the standards of administration and the judiciary remain top priorities. A more efficient, independent and accountable judiciary and public administration will positively impact on the daily life of all Albanians, and will create more favorable conditions for investment and economic growth, he said.
European Council formalizes candidate status decision
Barroso’s visit came just days after the European Council formalized last Friday its decision to grant EU candidate status to Albania, a decision made public earlier at the meeting of the council’s foreign ministers of 28 EU member countries.
The decision means Albania has cleared the first hurdle on its long path to European Union membership, something which it has failed to achieve since 2009, when it had first applied.
Barroso, who visited Albania this Monday, said that was a clear achievement from Albania and urged further political compromise on the much-needed reforms along the next step of achieving to launch membership negotiations.
Membership isn’t automatic. Albania will have to meet many requirements in tackling crime and corruption, and bringing its judiciary and administration to European standards, which could take years.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who came to power in June 2013, has pledged to push for EU membership.
Albania is now officially an EU accession country. Most people in Albania know that the hardest part still lies ahead. Unlike previous important decisions, such as membership in NATO and removal of visas to most EU countries, there was little euphoria over the status in Tirana.
However, there were three low-key celebratory events held by the government, the president and the Tirana mayor.
U.S. happy for Albania’s EU achievement
The United States, Albania’s strategic global ally, officially congratulated Albania for being granted the EU candidate status.
“The United States congratulates the people of Albania, and welcomes the June 27 decision by the European Council to grant European Union candidate country status to Albania,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said in a statement. “We salute the dedicated, hard work present and previous governments have invested to reach this important milestone. Albania’s political parties, whether in government or in opposition, will need to continue to work together to advance their country on the path to European Union membership.”
She added the U.S. remains “committed to offering our full support as the Albanian people pursue their chosen path toward a prosperous European future.”
