EU Ministers Mediate Albanian Politics
Tirana Times
TIRANA, Sep. 12 – Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and his Greek counterpart Stavros Lambrinidis on Monday held a joint visit to Tirana, on behalf of the European Union, openly telling Albanian leaders the country’s future and integration into the bloc is totally in their hands.During their hours of stay in the Albanian capital the two ministers met with their Albanian counterpart Edmond Haxhinasto, Prime Minister Sali Berisha, leader of the main opposition Socialist Party Edi Rama and also president Bamir Topi. They made it clear: Albania is part of Europe and the Union and their countries will continue to support Albania’s EU accession prospects.
But the tiny western Balkan country is lagging behind and needs to accelerate reforms in order to make progress in its accession course. Time has been lost, especially in the last two years due to the political conflict that has left the parliament practically functionless.
The aim of the visit was to push the country’s bitterly divided political leaders to pass reforms required for its European Union accession bid and to encourage Albanian politicians to work together on the EU integration process. The country’s 2009 bid for a candidate status was turned down in 2010. The EU expects Tirana to enact a raft of reforms, including electoral reform, improvement in the public administration, rule of law, fight against corruption and organized crime as well as resolving property rights issues. The EU will decide next month whether the country meets its standard to become a candidate countryנthe last step before full membership in the bloc. “Everything depends on concrete achievements,” Frattini said at a news conference. “Albania needs a national pact on Europe, the same as it did before its integration into NATO.” Albania joined the military alliance in 2009. Last week, the main opposition Socialists ended a lengthy parliament boycott to help pass EU-mandated reforms, but it still remains unclear whether they will back all required draft legislation.” At this juncture, it is extremely important to stop pointing fingers and try to give a hand to each other, because indeed there is no time to lose,” said Lambrinidis. Albania’s main opposition party has accused the government of electoral fraud, a charge the government denies. The rivalries permeate all aspects of the country’s political life.The two ministers said they sent a double message of support for the European prospects of the neighboring country, as well as the need to speed up reforms, so that it can respond to the criteria set by the European Union.
Both Albanian major political groupings support the idea of their country’s European prospects.
The two ministers did not say anything about what October’s EC annual progress report may say on Albania, adding the country has the possibilities to receive the status of candidate country for accession to the EU, but intense reforms are necessary as well as cooperation by the political forces for the fulfillment of the European criteria.
