TIRANA, July 17 /ATA/ – The preparatory process for opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania has started. In the presence of European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn and the members of the government, Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his determination to do a qualitative job in these 12 months until the next June.
During this meeting held on Tuesday at the Palace of Congresses, Rama said that the decision of European Commission is a milestone which definitely reinforces the European perspective of Albania and sets out the irreversible path to EU accession, paving the way for the beginning of accession negotiations with Albania next year.
“I believe that the decision taken at a very complex time for EU and in the face of an intensive process going on, for as you know due to internal dynamics of several countries, it took the effort of everyone involved, including the Commissioner Hahn whom I have thanked even before, just as his team along with Mogherini and EC President who enabled a positive solution that smooths the process and setting a clear time frame makes our responsibility not only complete but also broken down according to the aspects of the process on the shoulders of those present here, ministers, deputy ministers and secretaries of the ministries, “ Rama said.
Launching this preparatory stage and work according to a clear plan of interaction with EC will not be that easy and constitutes a crucial, yet difficult step that requires the solemn commitment of all relevant state structures with view to delivering on the objectives set at this stage.
“As of today we are obliged to manage the time efficiently and guarantee a high level of coordination and interaction not only to deepen the reforms, to achieve other results that are not part of Brussels requirements that represent our obligation towards the country and the future, but also to organize to the last part all coordinating units of the negotiation process,” he said.
We have carefully gone through the Commission’s recommendation and the Council’s conclusions and are clear about our duty. The fact that we received an unconditional recommendation will help us do a qualitative work.
According to him, the path of Albania towards EU is irreversible.
The preparatory work for negotiations is not that easy. We have carefully gone over the conclusions of EU on recommendations. There is a clear time frame for negotiations. The path to EU is irreversible.
Capacity building related to the process of negotiations is another test for us to pass. I would like to focus on three aspects concerning this process that will accompany us through to next spring. The process should continue and be built on the process of stabilization and association. The second aspect is about improvement of communication with member countries and EU mission in Tirana. The third aspect is related to the basic importance of technical and political process interacting with each other.
“Albania and Macedonia managed to overcome the wave for the time being,” Rama said adding that this new stage of such a tough path would have never been associated with optimism if it weren’t for commissioners standing by our side and their priceless devotion to Albania.
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