Rama meets Barroso, Van Rompuy and Fule

“I encourage the new government and the opposition to build more on the recent positive developments and work to guarantee that the country will produce results on the key priorities as defined by the Opinion of 2010 of the European Commission. There is an area that requires special attention: the respecting of the rule of law, including war against corruption and organized crime”, declared Jose Manuel Barroso.

After thanking the European Commission and the EU Ambassador to Tirana for their efforts in achieving free and fair elections in Albania, Edi Rama reiterated the commitment of his government in the EU path.

“I agree with you that changing your country for good means transforming the Parliament from a platform of exclusions in an comprehensive platform; transforming the integration process into a process of reforms and implementation; and transforming the life of the Albanians during this period with hopes and ambitions that are visible and tangible”, Rama declared.

When asked by Top Channel about the chances to receive the candidate status in December, and the chances to open negotiations within the next year, before the European elections, Barroso and Rama declared:

“In a very direct answer I can say that Albania can achieve the candidate status this year, in principle. It is achievable this year. But this requires some efforts. There’s no time to lose and the next weeks are critical if we want to reach the candidate status within this year”, Barroso declared.

“There are problems that are still there, but we are not starting it from scratch. The process does not start with this government, but it has started a long time ago and the former governments have worked with what they could. We must do our part. Our goal is achievable and we trust that we will reach that goal. We trust that we must work harder for opening the negotiations”, Rama declared.

The last official visit of this level of the Albanian Prime Minister at the European Commission dates back in April 2010, when Prime Minister Sali Berisha handed over what he called “the biggest book in the history of Albania”, with insufficient answers of the Commission’s questionnaire. Three years after publishing the Opinion and giving the 12 priorities, not only for opening the negotiations, but also for the status, this homework book remains still incomplete.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj

Fyle: Candidate status, achievable

During his meeting in Brussels with Prime Minister Edi Rama, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule, encouraged the new government for continuing the European reforms in a stable and comprehensive way, focusing on constructive cooperation between the government and the opposition.

“While he confirmed that the candidate status is reachable, the Commissioner encouraged focused actions for treating the remaining priorities that are needed for opening the negotiations”, according to the press release.

Concrete results are required in the rule of law, fight against corruption and organized crime.

The commissioner underlined and reiterated that the Commission is in the final stage of the Progress Report about the work done in the past 12 months, a document that will be published in the next month.

Prepared by: Ernest Bunguri

Rama at the NATO headquarters

The Albanian Prime Minister attended his first official visit at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, where he met with the General Secretary, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

“Albania is giving a valuable contribution to NATO through cooperation with the neighbors
And in our missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo. This is a valuable contribution for the security in the region. This is a time of chances for Balkan, a time to see ahead to the future and leave the past behind”, declared Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Albania will keep being a member of this oragnization by fulfilling all obligations. It took us a long time to become members, and we wills tay by fulfilling all our obligations. You must be sure that we will do our best to be on the level of this organization, not only at home, but wherever Albania will be present”, Rama declared.

Prime Minister Rama’s second day of his visit in Brussels continued with meeting of high European Union representatives.

The first official visit of the Albanian Prime Minister in Brussels started this Monday with a report on the Foreign Commission of the European Parliament, and then he attended a meeting with President Martin Schulz.

On his speech Rama unfolded the Socialist government program for the European integration, the relations with the neighbors, the foreign policy and a new way of communication. 

Top Channel