ALBANIA: CHALLENGE TO ENTER EU STARTS WITH INFRASTRUCTURE

(ANSAmed) - VLORE - The path to bring Albania to Europe is still long, but many steps have been taken, and others will follow in the short-term, so that in a few years, Tirana can enter the EU through the front door. ''Albania is acting with diligence and determination,'' said Minister for Technological Innovation and Information Genc Pollo, one of the men who Premier Sali Berisha is relying on to bring the country towards the standards necessary to enter the EU, ''to create the conditions for EU membership.

Not the minimum conditions, but standards that are even better. We are working hard and we know that we will be able to succeed''. Minister Pollo acknowledged Italy's important role in this process, ''because our two countries have always been close to each other,'' almost underscoring that they also had a close relationship under the communist regime of Enver Hoxha, when Albania had almost no external contact.

The conditions are also associated with a strong push by the Albanian government for reforms, especially in the field of innovation technology, where they are making great progress........

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