TIRANA, May 19 – Albania joined Bosnia and Herzegovina in failing to fulfill their people’s dreams of visa liberalization since they did not fully accomplish the conditions necessary to lift the EU’s visa requirements.
In relation to the dialogue of visa liberalization, the Stabilization and Association Council of the European Union noted that Albania has made some progress and further efforts need to be made in order to fully meet requirements.
It was Macedonia followed by Montenegro and likely Serbia that better fulfilled the necessary requirements, though Serbia still faces “certain difficulties,” according to a European Commission report.
The report assessed the progress that countries in the Western Balkans have made towards meeting the EU requirements for visa free travel into the Schengen Group of countries. It was finalized on Monday and handed over to the Czech Presidency of the EU. Then the EU is to decide by the end of June how to proceed for individual countries, Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Tomas Pojar told media.
The report contains “hundreds of pages” and will require some time to be assessed and then discussed with each of the countries.
Pojar only briefly said that the report shows that Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina had failed to fulfill the requirements needed for visa-free travel, while some difficulties also remain in relation to Serbia.
Montenegro and Macedonia have mostly fulfilled the requirements.
The report will be discussed in an EU working group on the Balkans in June, before a final recommendation is made.
Albania holds 1st meeting with SAC
Holding free and fair elections seems to be the main issue Albania should take care for, according to the European Union. Other top priorities are fighting corruption and organized crime and also efforts in the fight against terrorism. Those were the priorities explicitly mentioned to Albania from the European Union.
The EU stressed the importance of holding free and fair elections in June 2009 so as to meet domestic and international standards, incl. a reliable voters’ list, facilitated access to ID cards for all citizens without passports in time before the general elections and complete collaboration with election observers.
Europe stressed that good governance, enforcement of the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime, as well as the strengthening of administrative capacity, are still major challenges requiring resolute action, while also encouraging Albania to continue its constructive role in the region’s stability. Further, it encouraged Albania to guarantee that free and fair elections are held in 2009.
The EU reiterated on Monday (May 18th) that Albania must ensure free and fair parliamentary elections in June in line with international standards, to boost its chances to receive EU candidate status. Relevant measures include having reliable electoral lists, facilitating access to new ID cards for all citizens without passports and collaborating with election observers.
The Stabilization and Association Council (SA Council) between the European Union and Albania held its first meeting on Tuesday with the participation of Tomas Pojar, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, while from Albania Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha was present. The meeting was also attended by Björn Lyrvall, , Political Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden, Michael Leigh, director general of the Commission’s Directorate General for Enlargement, and Zoltan Martinusz, director in the General Secretariat of Council.
The meeting was the first of its kind between the Stabilization and Association Council of the EU and Albania, following its entry into force on 1 April 2009 of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) together in account with the Protocol of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union, which marks a new phase of responsibilities, enhanced relations and cooperation between the European Union and Albania.
The SA Council welcomed the progress achieved in a number of areas such as electoral reform, improvement of the business environment and good implementation of the interim agreement.
The EU reaffirmed the importance of strengthening political dialogue between major political parties, which is a key priority of the European Partnership. The EU stressed the need to further strengthen and to maintain a positive political climate conducive to sustaining a broad consensus on advancing key reforms as well as to the implementation of legislation and to strengthening administrative capacity.
Albania reiterated its commitment to free and fair elections in full compliance with domestic and international standards.
Judicial reform, top priority
Judicial reform is a key European Partnership priority. The SA Council stressed the importance of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary as core aspects of the political criteria for EU accession.
Tirana also informed the SA Council they are to follow the decision of the Constitutional Court to suspend implementation of the lustration law until completion of the review of that law.
The EU called on Albania to safeguard the independence, transparency, efficiency and accountability of the judiciary, to complete the legal framework and to overcome shortcomings by adopting a comprehensive reform strategy for the judiciary. The
EU considered that corruption remains widespread and constitutes a particularly serious problem. The institutional arrangements and inter-agency coordination in the fight against corruption remain weak and could be strengthened. Sufficient resources must be allocated with a clear timeframe for concrete measures to be taken. The EU called for further strengthening of the institutional capacity and de-politicization of the administration, which are crucial prerequisites for the proper implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement and the acquis communautaire.
Property rights, free media and minorities
The SA Council called for a consolidation of property rights, noting that unresolved property issues undermine efforts to develop a functional land market and kept foreign investment below potential. Recourse to effective and independent judicial review must be available.
In relation to freedom of expression, Europe said some progress had been registered but also recalled the importance of respecting media freedom, particularly in the period leading to the elections and with regard to enabling a balanced coverage by the public broadcaster.
The SA Council noted that on human rights and the protection of minorities the legislative framework is now broadly in place. The EU encouraged Albania to continue to implement measures to fulfill its commitments on the protection of minorities. The SA Council recalled that in developing a democratic society, deeper efforts should be made to foster civil society. Increased participation of civil society organizations in reforms undertaken is essential.
Good work in economy but mind crisis effects
The SA Council reviewed developments related to the economic criteria taking note of the counter-cyclical measures by the Albanian central bank in early 2009 with the aim to strengthen confidence of market participants and the public at large and to maintain overall financial stability.
The SA Council reminded Albania that the limited overall resources available for implementing three major projects in the area of statistics (national accounts, economic census, agricultural census) may prove inadequate.
The EU also noted remaining shortcomings on urban property registration as well as on orderly market exit procedures (liquidation and bankruptcy procedures).
The EU welcomed the progress made by Albania in aligning its legislation and capacity with European standards and in implementing Interim Agreement commitments. It welcomed the continued progress made in areas such as customs and competition whilst encouraging Albania to step up efforts in other areas, such as energy, transport and intellectual property rights where progress has remained limited.
Brussels also encouraged Albania to step up efforts to improve administrative capacity for the non-trade-related provisions of the SAA and for its implementation.
The SA Council said that Albania has been implementing the Interim Agreement well and has contributed to the smooth functioning of the various joint institutions.
It welcomed the progress achieved in aligning with the SAA provisions in the field of competition, whilst Albania took note of the need for further efforts to bring its legislation on imports fully in line with the SAA.
Europe also welcomed Albania’s constructive role in the region’s stability and urged its continued active participation in regional initiatives in South Eastern Europe as well as contributions to the EU Althea Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the peacekeeping mission in Chad.
