Brussels, 20 April 2020
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MEPs commend Albania’s unwavering commitment to European integration
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Albanian authorities urged to maintain and intensify efforts on EU-related reforms
By starting accession negotiations, member states would demonstrate European unity, acknowledging the importance of the geopolitical implications and the fulfilment of enlargement criteria.
In a report assessing Albania’s progress towards EU membership in 2021, MEPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee commend Albania’s strategic orientation and unwavering commitment to European integration, and express their clear support for the country’s democratic transformation and aspiration for EU membership.
MEPs regret the failure to open long-overdue accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, emphasizing full solidarity and sympathies with citizens of these countries. This failure undermines public attitudes towards the EU and is a serious danger to EU enlargement policy as a whole, according to the report. MEPs stress that both countries have fulfilled the conditions set by the European Council.
The report, adopted on Wednesday by 66 votes in favour , 4 against, and 3 abstentions, says Albania’s EU membership depends on lasting and irreversible reforms across fundamental policy areas. MEPs urge Albania to maintain and intensify its efforts to reinforce the functioning of the judiciary, strengthen democracy, the rule of law and the economy. It should also empower civil society, counter corruption and organised crime, ensure media freedom and guarantee the protection of minority rights, including the LGBTQI community.
Commending Albania’s continuance as a reliable and committed external policy partner, fully aligned to the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy, the report calls on the EU to “critically assess historically important security implications for the stability and unity on the European continent and Western Balkans in the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine”. It urges member states to demonstrate European unity by officially starting accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, considering both the geopolitical implications of the decision and the fulfilment of official criteria by the two countries.
The rapporteur Isabel Santos (S&D, PT) said: “Albania remains a fully reliable and committed strategic partner. It continues to move forward with fundamental EU-related reforms and is fulfilling and maintaining conditions for starting accession talks. It is only fair that the Council finally agrees on opening long-overdue accession negotiations with Albania, not least in the face of mounting geostrategic challenges.”
Background
Albania has been a candidate country since 2014, and the Commission has been recommending the start of accession talks since 2018. The EU remains by far the biggest trade and investment partner and the largest provider of financial assistance to Albania.
Next steps
Following the committee vote, the report will be tabled for vote by plenary in the 18-19 May plenary session.