EU head cancels trip to Tirana

TIRANA, May 18 – The political tension led European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and the bloc’s enlargement commissioner, Stefan Fuele, to cancel a trip to Tirana scheduled for Friday.
“The electoral process is taking some time at the moment, and there are tensions that are related to the ongoing counting of votes. That is why we have the decision to postpone,” spokeswoman Natasha Butler said.
In Albania, Barroso and Fuele were expected to address the need for further reforms as well as the issue of visa-free system abuses by Albanian citizens.
On Wednesday Fuele’s deputy Stefano Sannino made a visit to the country to prepare for the upcoming visit. He met with the top leaders in the country.
Barroso was on a trip to Serbia, Kosovo and Albania from 19-20 May in the second leg of his visit to South Eastern Europe to hold meetings with the political leaders of the respective countries as well as civil society representatives to stress the Commission’s support to their European perspective and to encourage further necessary reforms, stable and fully functioning democratic institutions and good neighborly relations all of which are indispensable for progress on the road towards the EU.
The main goal of the joint visit would be “to stress the Commission’s support to the European perspective” of Serbia, Kosovo and Albania, a Commission spokesperson said, adding that Barroso and Fuele would also try “to encourage” the countries to step up efforts to implement the “necessary reforms” which are indispensable for progress on the road towards the EU.
“The countries of South Eastern Europe belong in the European Union. Enlargement remains a powerful tool for deepening democracy, the rule of law, security and prosperity in Europe,” said Barroso.
“But it is the leaders and people of the region who hold the key to the pace and the timing of their own European future. I will therefore encourage our partners to speed up their reforms and tackle the outstanding challenges and conditions with renewed vigor. Our firm commitment to the European path of these countries and their continued engagement in delivering reforms are critical to success.”
“2011 is a year of opportunities for the enlargement policy and for the whole Western Balkans. A lot can be done if our partners live up to the expectations of their citizens and deliver on reforms. The accession process is not an easy one but a credible one: aspirant members deliver on reforms and the EU delivers on their progress. Our joint roadmap is very clear: for each country, it is set out in our 2010 Progress Report or Opinion. The European Commission is here to guide and help. Our partners can count on us. Together with President Barroso, we will deliver these messages to our partners and the citizens,” said Fuele.