Vienna, lobbying for Albania’s candidate status

The Austrian Foreign Minister, Sebastian Kurz, sent a letter to his counterparts at the European Union, Baroness Catherine Ashton and Greece, as the country that holds the presidency of the European Union. The letter focuses on Albania’s progress and the fulfillment of the required conditions.

A same initiative was signed six months ago by ten EU member countries, before the decision of December. But this time it seems that the number of countries who have signed has significantly increased.

17 EU member countries have signed the letter which focuses on the achievements in the fight against organized crime and corruption, which have been intensified and for which the government has shown determination.

“Based on the commitment and progress of Albania, same as it was underlined in the report of June 2014, this country deserves the candidate status from the EU countries. Albania has fulfilled the conditions established by the European Union”, the document says.

The Foreign Ministers who have signed this letter confirm that the Albanian government has increased its efforts for establishing the rule of law and reinforcing the anti-corruption institutions. By underlining some concrete models of these achievements and the will shown for implementing the justice reform, the European Union Ministers reiterate their support for granting the candidate status to Albania.

“This would encourage Albania to continue the path of reforms and for keeping this pace. Enlargement is a process with strict rules. It is important to tell when the conditions have been fulfilled. The European Union must be ready to reward the progress and help the countries in their path to membership. Giving the candidate status to Albania will be a strong signal for the countries of the region and for the transforming and stabilizing power of the enlargement process, a process that serves to the EU citizens and to the aspiring countries”, the letter says.

Despite the good signals given by Germany, Netherlands and Denmark, their signature is missing on this letter due to internal procedures, since they have to inform the Parliament before.

No country has said “no” to the candidate status of Albania so far, but it remains to be seen what will France and the United Kingdom decide, since the euro skeptic movements gained terrain in the past elections. Despite the internal balances, the European Commission doesn’t deny the visible progress of Albania in the past month.

Although the European Commission certified that Albania has delivered what had been requested, the Albanian diplomacy will keep contancting with the Union’s government. The Albanian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will attend a visit in France and the United Kingdom, in which they will reinforce their conviction that Albania deserves the candidate status.

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