The EU will provide Albania with the status of a candidate for a member of the Union

The EU Council on General Affairs based on the European Commission's report decided to provide Albania with the status of a candidate for joining the European Union. This was reported on the website of the European Commissioner for the expansion and policy of the neighborhood of Stefan Fules. The decision should be approved by the EU Council at the level of heads of state and governments, which will take place on Friday in Brussels.

“This is a clear step forward in the relations of the EU and Albania, reflecting the progress achieved in the country in European integration and in the implementation of the necessary reforms. Today's decision emphasizes the unchanging and complete support of the EU Albania in its efforts to achieve this goal,” Fule writes.

The status of a candidate does not mean that the negotiation process on the entry of Albania in the EU will automatically be launched. The decision should intensify her reform program. The key priorities for Albania should now be the “reform of the state administrative and judicial system, the fight against organized crime and corruption, the protection of human rights and the policy to combat discrimination, including a policy of minorities from the position of equality, as well as the application of property rights.”

The EU is also waiting for measures from Albania that would reduce the “migration pressure” on the European Union, including helping to reduce the number of unreasonable statements for the provision of asylum from Albanian citizens.

The status of a candidate raises relations between Albania and the EU to a higher level. Now Albania will receive invitations to meetings of the EU Council, open to the Candidate countries. Her cooperation with EU institutions will be easier. As a Candidate country, Albania will continue to receive assistance from the EU funds in the framework of a tool for preparing for entry (IPA) in order to carry out comprehensive reforms and strategic investments. Also, the participation of Albania in the EU programs will be facilitated.

Along with other countries of the Western Balkans, Albania was recognized as a potential candidate for joining the EU in 2003. The agreement on stabilization and association entered into force on April 1, 2009. At the end of the same month, Albania applied to the EU . The European Commission recommended granting the country the status of a candidate in October 2013. The commission confirmed its recommendation in the report for June 2014.

Currently, four countries have the status of a candidate for joining the EU. This is Türkiye, which received it in 1999, Macedonia (2005), Montenegro (2010) and Serbia (2012).