Albania expects start of EU accession talks in April: FM Bushati

Implementing reforms in Albania and meeting the five priorities are not just challenges for the country’s EU integration but also a challenge for sustainable economic development.

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati has repeated once again the country’s expectations for the opening of the negotiations in April, but according to him, the debate on dates is futile, in front of the implementation of key reforms.

“It is not a matter of dates. Dates are important to motivate the countries’ progress. An important part of the strategy is the clear appeal that the European Commission makes for focusing on the reform process. I reiterated this at the meeting of Foreign Ministers that these are important reforms, but reforms in the rule of law cannot be considered isolated by a stable economic development. This is why it is important for the EU and Western Balkan to decide these enlargement strategy components in a balance.”

While addressing the ongoing debate over the restructuring of relations with Greece, FM Bushati said that his team will apply the Constitution and the laws in force.

“The other fact we need to keep in consideration is the disagreements that are still existent in the region as regards recognition of states, cooperation with international courts and European affiliations in concrete actions. These are hot potatoes when it comes to discussion, but dates should be taken into account because the strategy takes lessons from all other enlargement processes, making countries find mutual solutions to these problems before accession”, Bushati stated.

Minister Bushati made these statements at the closing conference of the Academy of European Integration and Negotiations for the first cycle 2017-2018.

The 53 participants involved in this academy are expected to assist the country in the challenges that stem from Albania’s EU integration process.

SCAN

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