Journalists trained on EU enlargement

TIRANA, Oct 5 – “EU Enlargement: Challenges for Albania and the Balkans” was the topic of the seminar organized at the Albanian Media Institute last month with the participation of journalists and editors.
Speakers were Albert Rakipi, Director of the Albanian Institute for International Studies, and Ilda Zhulali, Director of the Directorate of European integration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The seminar discussed with journalists the situation and main problems and trends in EU integration for Albania.
Some of the topics addressed included the fulfillment of the political and economic criteria, as well as European standards, particularly harmonization of legislation with Acqui communitaire and the ability to fulfill participation criteria regarding politics, economics, and a single currency.
Participants became familiar with the different agreements that have been signed and are being negotiated by the Albanian government in this regard, as well as the next expected steps.
This process was also addressed in comparison with other countries of the region, focusing on the peculiarity of each country.
Specific attention was also paid to enlargement fatigue among EU members and citizens and the fatigue of Balkan countries on failure to become EU members.
Albania has applied for candidate status since April and is expecting Brussels to give the okay this month.