Today’s adoption of 2014 Progress Report on Albania, with a very strong majority in the committee on foreign affairs, sends a clear message in favour of Albania’s aspirations for greater European integration.
For the rapporteur Knut Fleckenstein and the S&D Group it is also clear that Albania's EU membership ambitions have the capacity to contribute to the democracy and stability of the country, and the region as a whole.
S&D vice-chair responsible for foreign affairs and EP rapporteur on Albania, Knut Fleckenstein, said:
"Albania is a candidate country for EU accession since June 2014. The Albanian enlargement process reinforces the country’s path to prosperity and democracy as well as its contribution to regional stability and cooperation.
"We invite the High Representative and the European Commission to continue their engagement and work in favour of Albania’s European future, by encouraging the country to continue with its ambitious reforms and to ensure their effective implementation.
"We call on EU Member States to honour their political commitments towards Albania as a candidate country, offering a real prospect of a future within the EU.
"Albania has clearly identified the key challenges in order to make the country fit for EU membership. I therefore encourage Albania to continue and intensify its efforts on public administration reform, on reform of the judiciary, in the fight against corruption and organised crime and in enhancing the protection of fundamental rights, in order to open accession negotiations as soon as possible.
"In order to further advance on the path towards EU membership the country will need an effective cooperation between all political parties in government and opposition. A constructive political dialogue and a fair political competition about the best ideas and concepts will be determining for the sustainability of all reforms.
"Ultimately, the long-term success of any reform can only be judged by the positive changes that are felt by citizens in their everyday lives. It’s clear that Albania, like any other candidate country, should be judged on its own merits."
