EU welcomes entry into force of Albania’s SAA

TIRANA, April 1 – The European Commission on Wednesday welcomed the entry into force of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Union (EU) and Albania.
The deal was signed in June 2006 and has been ratified by all its member countries.
“The entry into force of the SAA marks the beginning of an era during which Albania’s international obligations and the expectations on Albania’s performance will be higher than before,” said EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in a statement.
The SAA focuses on key democratic principles and core elements of the EU single market. A free trade area with the EU and the application of EU standards will give Albania the opportunity to move closer to the EU, said Rehn.
He said the EU will continue to support Albania’s progress toward EU integration through the Stabilization and Association Process, which is a special arrangement for Western Balkan countries in their EU accession path.
The entry into force of the SAA marks the beginning of an era during which Albania’s international obligations – and the expectations on Albania’s performance – will be higher than before.
European Commission Director General for Enlargement Michael Leigh makes a visit to Tirana where he meets with key political figures in Albania. He also participates in the Conference on Donor Co-ordination in the Western Balkans and Turkey organized by the Enlargement directorate general of the European Commission and the Albanian Government on 2 – 3 April in Tirana.
Leigh’s visit underlines the special significance of the SAA for EU – Albania relations. It is also an indication of the importance that the European Commission attaches to the continued commitment of all political forces in Albania to tackle the required reforms together.
The SAA between Albania and the European Union represents a contractual relationship, entailing mutual rights and obligations. The SAA focuses on respect for key democratic principles and the core elements which are at the heart of the EU single market. A free trade area with the EU and the application of EU standards in associated disciplines such as competition and state aid rules or intellectual property, as well as reforms designed to achieve the adoption of EU standards in other areas, will give Albania the opportunity to move closer to the EU.
The EU will continue to support Albania’s progress towards EU integration through the Stabilization and Association process, the policy designed by the EU to foster its co operation with the Western Balkan countries as well as regional cooperation. Stabilization and Association Agreements are a core component of this process. In order to support the necessary reforms, the EU makes available Pre accession Assistance to the Western Balkans and Turkey amounting to more than 6.8 billion Euros over the period 2009 to 2012. The Tirana Conference of 2 and 3 April will look at how the efficiency and impact of this assistance can be enhanced by donor co-operation.