Albania has the capacity to tackle its European integration challenges

European Commission

Statement

Brussels, 2 April 2014

Albania has the capacity to tackle its European integration challenges

Štefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, met with Edi Rama, Albanian Prime Minister, in Brussels today.

Commissioner Füle welcomed Albania's continued commitment to EU-related reforms and praised the actions taken by the government in the fight against organised crime and corruption. The Commissioner also encouraged Albania to consolidate and intensify the reform momentum, particularly as regards the rule of law and called for solid and convincing results in view of informing the Council ahead of its decision on whether to grant the candidate status. "I am convinced that the country has the capacity to tackle its European integration challenges with determination", the Commissioner said.

The Commissioner also welcomed the government's stance for an inclusive approach to reforms, based on constructive dialogue and involvement with the opposition for the sustainability and success of reforms. Candidate status, once granted, will be recognition of the work of all concerned. The Commissioner also underlined that all the country's vital energies, including those of civil society, should be used to move forward the EU agenda. In this context, he stressed the importance of the High Level Dialogue on the Key Priorities and agreed with Prime Minister Rama to hold the next meeting at the beginning of June.