European Commission recommends opening of EU accession talks for Albania

The European Commission recommended on Tuesday opening the accession negotiations for two Balkan countries, Albania and Macedonia,

In a press conference following the European Commission’s meeting on the enlargement package, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini stressed once again that the Western Balkans belong to the future of the European Union.

“Today, the college approved the annual package of enlargement for Western Balkans and Turkey. It’s in our interest to have a successful enlargement policy. Western Balkans is part of Europe and it will be part of the future of the EU. This is in our best interest. Last year, our partners in the Balkans have undertaken many important reforms, hence the decision to open negotiations with Albania and Macedonia. This decision to recommend opening negotiations is an encouragement to these countries to continue on the path of reforms,” Mogherini said.

Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said the recommendation also comes as a reciprocal move, since Albania and Macedonia have done their job.

“Regarding Albania, we will continue with the main priorities mentioned earlier: public administration, organized crime, judicial reform and minorities. As far as justice reform is concerned, we have seen concrete and tangible results, but we are in the beginning of this very promising process, so this recommendation is justified,” Hahn said.

The unconditional recommendation is expected to be followed by two-day official visit that Mogherini is scheduled to hold in Tirana on late Tuesday and early Wednesday.

Eventually, the European Council will decide at its next summit on May 17, scheduled to see the participation of the six Western Balkan countries.

Until then, a difficult lobbying process will ensue, since any EU member country might veto the opening of talks.

SCAN

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