Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Albania, EU Mission for 12 priorities



EU Mission for 12 priorities
A delegation of European Commission experts is verifying in Tirana the fulfillment of the 12 key criteria set by the EU for Albania’s candidate status.

The consulting meeting with the Albanian government will take two days and has started at the Ministry of Integration. The discussion is related with the verification of the action plan for the implementation of the 12 priorities from which will derive the suggestions of this delegation. The Minister of Integration, Majlinda Bregu, presented the steps taken so far with the civil society and the Parliamentary Integration Commission for having an efficient action plan, as requested by the EU.

“The reforms are a joint contribution. The voting of laws, especially the one that require qualified majority, is a common task for both parties. The majority cannot vote them alone, and the European integration of the country is not only in the governmens or opposition’s agenda, but it is the common interest of all Albanians”, Bregu declared.

Vasili Maragos, chief of the Unit for Albania at the Integration Directory declared that the Action Plan is a good point of reference in fulfilling the 12 recommendations. During his speech he said that he has underlined many times that the plans should be implemented, not only be drawn on paper.

“This process is not only for fulfilling a task list, sending it to Brussels and then forgetting everything. Concrete reforms are needed, concrete changes held by the institutions that often affect the citizens’ life. We are here to help you, but also to be rigorous, because the EU countries expect from us to be rigorous. As you know, the standards are very high”, Maragos declared.

The October meeting of the European Commission will show if Albania will pass or fail with the EU candidate status. The next months to come are decisive for our country and the fulfillment of the 12 priorities, four of which have completely a political character, including the Parliamentary and Electoral reforms, and two other hot topics that require a solution by the majority and opposition.

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