EU reminds Albania to proceed with reforms

BRUSELS, Sep 15 – Albania should make greater efforts in the field of “democratic culture and the rule of law” and ensure the smooth conduct of the 2009 elections in order to make progress on the path towards the EU integration. That was the conclusion of EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn following talks in Brussels with Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha.
“Progress on these issues and the conduct of parliamentary elections of 2009 in line with international standards will be crucial for further progress of Albania into the EU,” Rehn said.
On November 5 the European Commission is to publish its annual report on European countries, including Albania.
Basha said that the Tirana government of Sali Berisha has made progress in the field of combating organized crime and corruption, adding the lower “quantity of drugs seized by Italian police during the first six months of the year” demonstrates the commitment of Albanian authorities in that fight.
Basha also mentioned a World Bank report citing Albania as the second leading country in the world in terms of economic reforms.