TIRANA, May 28 /ATA/ – The European Union should open the accession negotiations with Albania. This is what German lawmaker, Mark Hauptman, said after his two-day visit to Tirana.
At a media briefing with the head of SP parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, Hauptman stressed that
“Within the EU there is debate on enlargement of EU and integration of the Western Balkans. I think we should start negotiations with Albania because, in our view, the opening of accession negotiations is not regarded as the end but as the beginning of reforms. Therefore, I will advise my parliamentary group to start the negotiations.
German lawmaker says that Albania and Germany mark 30 years of cooperation. Germany has supported Albania with a fund of EUR 1 bn in these years, which is further proof of the interest of Germany in Albania. It is in our interest to support Albania and the Western Balkans.
I would like to speak from the perspective of an Eastern Germany- born citizen, who has witnessed the reality the way it was. Germany was lucky to have a big brother like Western Germany. Albania does not have a big brother, however it has made significant progress, he said.
Hauptman said that the govt. has an agenda of reforms which are a must, such as justice reform, fight against corruption, organized crime and prevention of illegal crime in Europe. In this aspect, Albania is a our partner which we want to support your country, Hauptman said.
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