Memo: Key findings of the 2014 Progress Report on Albania

The Progress Report on Albania is part of the 2014 Enlargement Package adopted by the European Commission on 8 October 2014. EU-Albania relations took a clear step forward in 2014 with the decision of the Council to grant Albania the candidate status reflecting the progress made by the country in European integration and in implementing the necessary reforms.

The European Commission concluded that Albania made further progress in fulfilling the political criteria, by continuing to implement and consolidate reforms in the rule of law area. In order to be able to move towards the opening of accession negotiations, Albania would need to undertake sustained efforts to implement reforms in key priority areas, with particular focus on public administration and judicial reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime and strengthening the protection of fundamental rights. A sustainable political dialogue and compromise-based and constructive work in parliament by both government and opposition remained important elements for a successful reform process.

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 11.10.14: Joanna Hanson on Albania: Moderate progress, but strong criticism of the parliament persists http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2014/10/11/experts-react-eu-progress-reports-2014/#Six

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