Tirana to apply EU candidate status soon

TIRANA, March 18 – Authorities made it clear they are to apply for the European Union candidate status within the Czech presidency until the end of June this year.
But a Czech senior official, Deputy Foreign Minister Tomas Pojar made it clear that the answer for that would come later this year and also based on the upcoming June 28 parliamentary elections.
Pojar made a visit to Tirana this week to meet with top officials.
Pojar is conducting an official visit to Albania in the framework of coordination of actions between the Czech Presidency of the EU and our country for the promotion of further Albanian integration towards the European Union, said a statement by the Albanian Foreign Ministry after a meeting with Foreign minister Lulzim Basha.
Applying for a European Union member country and the full liberalization of visas for Albanian citizens are absolute priorities of the Albanian government and foreign policy, Basha told Pojar at the meeting.
Basha praised the support and encouragement that the Czech Presidency, the other EU member states and the European Commission in Albania have given these two important directions.
Considering the six months of the Czech Presidency of the EU as the most suitable time for Albania to apply for a member country of the EU, Basha and Pojar estimated that coordination is very important to further diplomatic steps and complete Albania’s application for the status membership with the EU.
Both sides would remain in contact in the coming weeks.
Pojar also met with Integration Minister Majlinda Bregu to discuss the process of European integration and reforms.
The Czech Republic, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, not only welcomes Albania’s application of the candidate country status, but also offers all its support for the implementation of obligations arising in this new stage process, a ministry statement said.