TIRANA, May 11 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Monday that Albania has effectively aligned its public procurement system with European Union standards and is now discussing final – rather than interim – benchmarks in accession talks related to the sector.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Albania’s negotiator for Chapter 5 on Public Procurement, Reida Kashta (Shahollari), who also heads the Public Procurement Agency, the government head said Albania has reached an advanced stage in negotiations with the EU.
“Public procurement is not part of the interim benchmarks. This means that, in public procurement, we are already EU members,” Rama said.
He defended Albania’s tendering procedures against what he described as persistent criticism and misinformation, saying the country had made “extraordinary” progress in ensuring public procurement system is independent, transparent and efficient.
Rama said interim benchmarks applied only to areas extending beyond the standard accession process and reflect issues subject to negotiation between Albania and EU member states.
Referring to a meeting due to take place in Brussels on Tuesday to assess Albania’s progress on public procurement, Rama said the European Commission supports Albania’s position.
“The Commission agrees that we have fulfilled 100% of the requirements needed to receive the green light to move to the next phase, which is the closing of chapters,” he said.
Rama added that questions raised by EU member states at this stage concerned closing benchmarks rather than previously completed obligations.
The Prime Minister said the accession process remained fully on track despite opposition claims that negotiations had stalled.
“What is happening in Brussels at this time is entirely within expectations,” Rama said. “There is absolutely nothing resembling the claims that Albania’s negotiations have been blocked.”
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