Positive developments praised at important meeting between Albanian and EU officials, but Albania’s candidate status remains uncertain.
Tirana Times
TIRANA, March 23 – An important meeting between EU and Albanian officials in Tirana has shed some light on what Albania plans to do to meet Brussels’ conditions to advance its EU membership bid. It has also rekindled some hope Albania might be able to obtain official EU candidate status in the fall.
European Commission representatives were in Tirana for the third meeting of the Joint Stabilization and Association Committee. EU officials expressed some satisfaction with the more positive political climate of recent months, which has made it possible for the country to mark some progress on the path of integration.
Despite the more positive climate, the key question remained that of how far along Albania is in meeting the12 priorities EU has set to advance its membership bid נand whether candidate status will be achieved soon after two failed previous attempts.
There is still a lot left to do, Pierre Mirel, Balkans director at the European Commission’s enlargement branch, said during the meeting in Tirana. He urged that the spirit of consensus continue.
“In recent months, there has been progress, especially since November 2011, but it doesn’t hide the fact there is still much work to do,” Mr. Mirel said. “What we want is to look at a number of elements, key priorities, and see progress. That would allow us to give a positive rating for Albania.”
The European officials welcomed the cooperation between the governing Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha and main opposition Socialist Party of Edi Rama. They stressed the need for the political dialogue in order to move the EU integration project ahead.
“There have been good signals for the dialogue we have asked for. But we should see a series of achievements in general. One of them is lifting the immunity of the officials. There is also a need for a new strategy on the property ownership. We consider that an aspect that is hampering Albania. After resolving the property problem, Albania may see more in the field of investment,” said Mr. Mirel, adding a properly working independent judiciary is also a key goal.
The SAA joint committee is in charge of monitoring the implementing of the agreement already in place between Albania and the European Union. It holds regular meetings, bringing together Albanian and EU integration officials.
Fighting corruption and immunity become top factors
EC’s General Director for Enlargement Stefano Sannino said in Tirana the fight against corruption remains a top priority. He added the removal of immunity from persecution for public officials like members of parliament and ministers is an important step. Mr. Sannino also praised the government’s call for lifting immunity from public officials.
Integration Minister Majlinda Bregu says Albania will do all it can to meet the conditions. She focused particularly on EU’s demand that corruption be fought vigorously. Ms. Bregu said removal of immunity for judges, members of parliament and other public officials would help meet that goal. She added it is something that enjoys support in both ruling and opposition circles.
Immunity has been a contested issue between the two political groupings, both accusing each other of trying to exploit it for political gain. And this is not the first time political groupings pledge to resolve that issue. But both sides have been conservative with taking any concrete steps so far.
‘EU doors to remain closed if corruption goes unpunished’
An important diplomatic source tells Tirana Times Brussels was very clear with Zagreb when it came to Croatia’s bid for EU members. The message was clear: If corruption is not punished, then the doors to EU would remain closed.
In Croatia’s case, there was the concrete case of former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, who was arrested for corruption and is expected to be tried this year. It was Brussels that showed Zagreb what needed to be done, and it got done.
Other key reforms
The electoral reform was another main topic for which the European officials wanted to see tangible results. Restitution of property confiscated during the communist regime is also a very hot political potato. In addition, proposed changes to parliamentary rules will be subject to debate.
Many draft laws needed for the EU’s 12 key recommendations need a three-fifth vote in parliament, which cannot be achieved without the opposition votes.
The Socialists have made some steps in giving their approval for some laws and have also pledged to do that for launching the administrative courts, a key issue in that process.
But they have also made it clear that the main responsibility in the integration process belongs to the government.
The government on its side continues to say that European integration remains its top priority and for all the failures it throws the load on the opposition.
Candidate status in fall?
The meeting left some in Albania hopeful the country may receive candidate status in the fall. There are positive steps that have been taken, but there is still a lot more remaining for the candidate status to be granted. Experts still don’t know whether obtaining candidate status will be possible.
Danish Ambassador Karsten Ankjaer Jensen, whose country holds EU’s rotating presidency, said that fulfilling the 12 key recommendations set by Brussels was a very normal work to do “something that you should and may do within this year if the political will does exist.”
Ambassador Jensen said meeting the 12 recommendations is not an impossible feat. “Despite the fluctuations of politics, which of course are obvious, I think people should demand more from their leaders Š. Only if proper efforts are made Šthe candidate country status will be achieved,” he told the local media during a visit to southern Albania.
