President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy told Tirana politicians that more reforms are needed along their efforts of integration into the European Union. He also told them that the responsibility for the country’s progress was with them.
Tirana Times
TIRANA, Oct. 20 – President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy concluded his second regional tour in the Western Balkans with his visit in Tirana Wednesday.
Rompuy met with all top officials to express his continuous support to the reforms needed along the country’s integration efforts towards the bloc.
Rompuy said at a news conference with Prime Minister Sali Berisha that after visiting all regional capitals he firmly believed “that the EU international credibility begins in its immediate neighborhood. Europe does a lot of efforts to support western Balkans. Techncial and financial asistance is over 2 bln euros for 2010-1012 and a lot of efforts are also done by our member states. the europ perspective is essential for the future of the region as a whole. progress towards membership of the world’s laargest single market will be an invaluable asset in attractive foreign investment and reducing unemployment. With the core EU values of tolerance and respect for diversity this process should also serve as an anchor for regional stability and for overcoming ghosts of the past.”
For the first time perhaps in history the countries of the western Balkans share a strategic vision for the future – membership in the EU, he said.
Van Rompuy urged Tirana “to continue the reform efforts and the positive role your country is playing in the region.”
After commending the country’s extraordinary progress in the last two decades of the post-communist time, Van Rompuy said Europe would explain in its annual progress report further challenges and would offer guidance to the country’s reform process.
“On the European path, work still remains to be done,” he said. “Enlargement will remain a performance based process, with steady focus on meeting the standards and criteria of the European integration.”
He said that “the rule of law and democracy agenda will remain of central importance in the foreseeable future,” a clear path to what Albania should focus upon.
He added that judicial reform, fight against corruption and organized crime were the key issues to work upon.
“Reforms needs to be effectively implemented,” he said.
In another indication that the country’s leadership maturity is of prime importance he said that despite continuous guidance from Europe, “the primary responsibility for progress remains with Albania and the Albanian leadership.”
Van Rompuy also urged the countries in the region to further strengthen their cooperation as the best way to reach Europe.
“The European integration of the Western Balkans must be complemented by vigorous efforts to promote regional cooperation. while the European perspective is clear, it cannot be expected to replace regional cooperation. it is not ‘instead of’ but rather ‘in addition to’.”
Van Rompuy praised Albania’s constructive role for regional stability.
Van Rompuy considered the visa liberalization as a symbolic gesture “related to one of the basic freedoms of the Union, and a very practical issue, “as it delivers the most tangible benefits for the citizens.”
Albanians expect to get the visa liberalization by the end of the year.
