TIRANA, Feb 9 /ATA/ The Council of Ministers adopted on Wednesday the National Plan for European Integration 2022 – 2024 (PKIE 2022 – 2024).
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, stated on Wednesday after the meeting of the Council of Ministers that, “this document is one of the most important instruments in terms of planning and monitoring of all obligations arising from the Stabilization and Association Agreement, but also from the process of European Union accession.”
Xhaçka stressed that, “the plan has a dual objective. First, it serves as an instrument for planning the fulfilment of obligations arising from the Stabilization and Association Agreement, which defines the obligation of Albania to approximate national legislation with that of the European Union, in accordance with the deadlines set by this agreement.”
Secondly, Xhaçka added, “this plan, based on obtaining the status of candidate country in June 2014, is designed to enable the full approximation of Albanian legislation with the acquis of the European Union as one of the criteria for membership in the European Union.”
“This is a very important year for Albania in terms of its journey towards the European Union, as we expect the European Union to resolve the impasse that has held Albania back by not opening of the accession negotiations during 2021.
Definitely, Xhaçka added, “we are doing and will continue to do everything we have undertaken. First of all, for the Europeanization of the country, but also to advance in the process of Albania’s EU accession.”
Asked about a draft / resolution that Albania will prepare regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, given that we are a non-permanent member on the Security Council.
“We are not at that stage yet. There are no draft / resolutions waiting to get the approval or support of other countries, be them on the Security Council or beyond, those in the UN. But we are at the stage when we have agreed on a very close cooperation with the US as co-drafters, deepening a strategic relationship, also giving Albania all the credit and visibility for what it is. A very constructive country, a trustworthy partner, which will play a very active role on the Security Council during the 2 years of its term, “Minister Xhaçka said.
/sm/
