EU repeats to Albania of need to fight corruption, organized crime

TIRANA, Sep 9 – Pierre Mirell, the European Commission official in charge of the Balkans, repeated to Albanian authorities, during a Tuesday meeting, that fighting corruption and the organized crime remained top priorities for the Tirana government during its efforts to join the bloc.
Mirell met with Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha and Integration Minister Majlinda Bregu.
The EC delegation also spoke with local officials about the political development in the country, reforms, corruption and organized crime and the process of visa liberalization.
Mirell said that the country had a lot to do to comply with Brussels’ requests and standards.
He also said that the visa liberalization process did not have a specific amount of time for implementing the issuing of IDs and biometric passports and, also, better managing its borders.
Albania signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement in June 2006, considered to be a first step towards membership.
It has been ratified by all but two EU member countries. Following that, Albania may claim the candidate status.
“Albania should continue sustainable and convincing reforms for the SAA application and key political reforms,” said Mirell, referring to electoral and judicial reforms, the fight against corruption and organized crime.
Resolving property ownership is another major step that the country is obliged to take before expecting more international direct investment, the official said.
Mirell also urged political consensus on major reforms and asked Tirana to comply with conditions set at the road map for visa liberalization.
Brussels has set aside some 200 million Euros as grants to be distributed during the next three years to help the country in its integration efforts.