Albania and EU end membership talks

Albania and the European Union today end their latest round of talks on the country’s efforts to join the EU and its preparations for 2005 parliamentary elections, the Ministry of European Integration said.

The eighth round of talks on a so-called Stabilisation and Association Agreement, which Albania and the EU are negotiating as a first step toward eventual membership in the bloc, focused yesterday on the agriculture and fishery sectors, spokesman Edmond Harizaj said.

“Today’s talks deal mainly with the upcoming elections,” he said.

Western leaders have told Albania that the general elections, now set for mid-2005, are considered a “major test” for the country’s political institutions and the maturity of its political establishment.

During the talks, Albania showed what it is doing to bring the country’s legislation in line with EU standards and its efforts to upgrade the work of its public administration. The government has prepared a detailed working plan that it must fulfil before signing the agreement.

“The Albanian government remains fully committed to give this process the proper rhythm through a serious presentation and preparation of its negotiating position,” said European Integration Minister Ermelinda Meksi.

Albania, one of Europe’s poorest countries, is a long way from qualifying for EU membership due in part to political infighting that has slowed post-communist reforms. Communism ended in Albania in 1990.