EU Foreign Ministers will decide about status

“The most important thing for now are the next steps that will be taken for transferring the duties to the new government”.

“I think that the government has still a lot to do”, says De la Beil, who appeals to not forget the 12 integration priorities.

“During the electoral campaign they chose the European integration as a priority agenda. Although the elections were just held, there have been no developments on this aspect in the last couple of months. The three laws have passed and the elections were an important element, but it is just one of the elements of the agenda between the European Union and Albania. There are several other issues, such as the 12 points that need to be concluded. This is a major duty for the new government. They must not lose time, but continue with the matters that are related to the necessary reforms for Albania”, De la Beij says.

The Ambassador of Netherlands emphasized the reforms and the strengthening of institutional independence.

“One of the integration issues that takes a special importance is related with the reinforcement of the state independence, which also includes the Central Election Commission. We have seen the politicization of this institution during the last elections. These institutions should work in complete independence, as it happens in Netherlands, rather than favoring one side or another. Not only the Central Election Commission, but also other institutions, such as justice, should be included in the reinforcement of independence. Such elements should be part of the new government’s agenda”, the Ambassador declared.

When asked about the chances that Albania has to receive the status in December, Martin De la Beij declared:

“I cannot say what chances are there. We have always said that the three laws are an improtant element. The elections are another element, but the 12 priorities remain important. This is an agreement between Brussels and Tirana to cooperate on this agenda. There are still many things to be realized. Netherlands is following this process closely, in two ways. We want to make sure that the Eu, the standards and the values that form it, are reinforced. The countries that want to join the European Union fulfill these criteria that are applied in the already member countries. On one hand we see the European Union, and on the other we see Albania with the necessary reforms, in full accordance with the European Union standards. There is a huge gap. More work is needed from your part, although the Eu is ready to help you in achieving these objectives. It is up to the European Union foreign ministers to decide if there will be a positive decision in december”.

But this gap that the ambassador mentioned, can be filled by the new government from September to December?

“That’ not much time left until the new government takes duty on September 9th. The first recommendation draft for the Council of Ministers will be planned in October. There are only two months left for the new government to make changes. But at least they must show the good will to continue the reforms. There will not be enough time to build a track record with changes and we know that. There’s not enough time. They need to create an agenda in order to undertake concrete actions in the next weeks and months. This should be done as soon as possible, after they take their duty. It remains a responsibility of Albania to show that in this country not only they talk about integration, but they also take concrete steps in implementing the reforms. Everything will be valued based on the steps that have been undertaken”, the Ambassador underlined.

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