Road toward Europe

TIRANA, May 8 – That should become the real national goal, Stefan Fuele, the EU enlargement commissioner, told Albanian parliamentarians last week, adding that 2012 might be the year when Albania will really receive the candidate status.
That is one achievement that the government and the opposition are daily saying they want.
Both Prime Minister Sali Berisha and main opposition Socialist Edi Rama promised to Fuele and with the joint voting for the administrative court they also gave a good sign.
In an optimistic move this week the EU office in Tirana formally celebrated the start of the European week and the celebration for the Europe’s Day. Ambassador Ettore Sequi was joined by Integration Minister Majlinda Bregu and Tirana city hall deputy mayor Jorida Tabaku to launch the “Run towards Europe” running and cycling race Wednesday.
That is part of the activities that Europe is celebrating in Albania these days. The movie week continues daily with movies from all the EU member countries.
Europe’s assistance continues in all the spheres of life in the country. Last week they also held the national convention of the notary public and other activities every day.
Yes, membership in Europe means all these beautiful things.
But it also means a lot of work on the reforms required to achieve the European standards.
And above all, for the moment in Albania it asks for cooperation of the political forces, joining forces and strength to achieve tangible results, not just words.