TIRANA, March 3 – The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini paid an official visit to Tirana on Thursday to discuss Albania’s EU perspective and the refugee crisis with the country’s highest political leaders.
The first meeting on the agenda of the high EU official was with Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta after which she delivered a speech before the Albanian parliament.
During her speech in parliament, Mogherini pressed for the meeting of the five criteria by Albania in particular the judicial reform, so that the country will receive an opening date for accession talks with the EU.
“We shouldn’t forget why the judicial reform is needed. It will pave the way for a recommendation for the opening of accession negotiations. Based on the Venice Commission recommendations, do the right thing and approve the judicial reform,” Mogherini said in her address to parliament.
The EU high representative launched an appeal to Albanian lawmakers to leave behind conflicts of the past and work together to make the country an EU member.
“My suggestion for you is to set yourselves free from the past and take your country forward, bring Albania to the European Union, you owe this to Albania and allow me to say you owe this to Europe, too,” Mogherini added.
Mogherini also brought up the possibility that Albania will be affected by the migrant crisis that has hit the region.
“Terrorism and radicalization are threats that none of us can ignore. We have to be together and we are together in this fight. The refugee crisis, signs that Albania will become affected too exist. The present and the future are not easy for anybody, but I am certain we can all succeed if we embrace a cooperative stance,” Mogherini said.
During her visit to Tirana, Mogherini will also meet with Prime Minister Edi Rama, President Bujar Nishani and the leader of the opposition Lulzim Basha.
Albania became an official candidate member for the accession to the European Union in 2014, eight years after it signed its Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU. The implementation of further reforms, particularly the judicial reform, are seen as crucial to Albania’s aspirations to join the EU. Several high EU officials have stressed the fact that without a judicial reform, there will be no accession talks.
