The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, and the commissioner for
enlargement, Stefan Fule, held a joint press release this Wednesday,
confirming the positive recommendation for Albania’s candidate status.
Rama declared that the progress-report of the European Commission bases the recommendation on strong and clear evidence, and on concrete results of the work done by his government.
“The progress-report shows the government’s work that deserves to be recognized for the entire country. This progress-report has a very strong underlining and leaves no room for doubts that Albania deserves to receive the status. Above everything, this is a clean recommendation and without any doubt after the ‘yes’”, Rama declared.
Rama added that after this recommendation, the path to integration becomes even more difficult, since Albania has more responsibility towards the European partners.
“We feel an even heavier burden of responsibility today. Despite the refusal in December, the recommendation makes us feel better with all Albanians, because the work has continued without any problem”, Rama declared.
The Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule, declared that the report confirms without any doubt, conditions or reserves, the recommendation that the member countries give in favor of Albania.
“Two weeks ago we had a conference in Thessaloniki, and even in yesterday’s conference in Vienna, the enlargement was seen as a priority. We have prepared a report in which is seen the progress in the judiciary and in the fight against corruption. Our conclusions are based on the fight against corruption and organized crime. We are encouraged by this commitment that Albania has shown, and this commitment must continue to intensify, so that the reforms can continue. It should be all-inclusive, coherent and according to all standards”, Fule declared.
The Commissioner for Enlargement mentioned the political situation in our country by criticizing the political climate, which, according to him, does not serve to Albania’s image.
“The confronting political climate damages Albania’s image and could hamper the reform process. The government and the opposition must show moderation and compromise. We would want Albania to have compromise and find solution that serve to all the country. When you are in opposition, it is more difficult to reach consensus for the European agenda. I hope that the report and the dialogue that includes the opposition will make the political parties find common grounds. Our reports are never about one single government. I have appreciated the work of the past government too. The positive work must not stop, regardless if your are in government or opposition”, Fule declared.
Stefan Fule spoke about the hunger strikes of the former political prisoners and that of the former public administration employees: “I am informed and I see it with concern. We appeal the protesters to not put their lives in danger. We are watching this case and we will keep watching it closely”.
The future of Albania is in the European Union, and I am convinced about this country’s capacities to face the challenges of the European Union”, Fule concluded his speech.
The Head of the Albanian government underlined the evaluations that the progress report makes for the initiatives in the fight against money laundering, organized crime and the border control.
He appealed the opposition to not politicize the fight against crime and other negative phenomena, and invited them to work in this direction.
“Politicizing the fight against crime serves to no one but crime. The politicization of the fight against drug serves only to drug traffickers. Let us join together in this fight”, Rama added.
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