Füle en nieuwe Albanese premier bespreken toetreding (en)

European Commission

MEMO

Brussels, 17 September 2013

EU-Albania: With Prime Minister E.Rama on the way forward in the accession process

Brussels, (17 September) - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle met with the new Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama in Brussels today.

Their first meeting after Mr Rama took office provided an opportunity to discuss Albania's EU objectives and the measures Albania needs to take to move further on its path towards EU integration. They also discussed ways to develop a high level engagement between Albania and the EU with the aim to accelerate the accession process of Albania and the necessary reforms.

Commissioner Füle encouraged the new government to continue the process of European Union-related reforms in a sustainable and inclusive way. "Constructive cooperation between government and opposition will be essential to tackle the challenges on Albania's path towards the European Union," Commissioner Füle said. " It is also important to reach out to all the stakeholders - inside the country, in the region and also to the member States," he added.

While confirming that candidate status for Albania is within reach, he encouraged targeted actions to address the remaining key priorities of the Commission's 2010 Opinion required for opening the accession negotiations. "Albania will need to pay particular attention to the rule of law and to strengthening the track record in the fight against corruption and organised crime", Commissioner Füle stressed and recalled that the European Commission is finalising the Progress report - the regular assessment of the progress achieved in the country over the last 12 months - that will be published next month.