ANKARA
European Council can take the decision to grant Albania the EU candidate status just in June 2014, unless EU Commission suggested that the decision be taken this month.
23 of 28 member states were in the same wave length with EU Commission, but Germany, France, Denmark, Britain and especially Netherlands suggested this decision to be taken in June.
"The Council welcomes the further action taken in the fight against corruption and organised crime, the commitment of the new government and commends its intensified efforts in these areas and encourages the authorities to maintain this new momentum," the General Council meeting conclusion document, which will be approved by EU leaders on December 19-20 at the EU Summit, says.
"The Council will examine, on the basis of a report to be presented by the Commission, continued implementation of anti-corruption and judicial reform strategies and of recently adopted relevant legislation as well as a continued trend of pro-active investigations and prosecutions, including in the area of organised crime," the document says adding that "in the light of this report, and on the understanding that Albania continues to build on the encouraging progress made so far, the Council looks forward to a decision regarding granting candidate status to Albania in June 2014."
Albania applied for European Union membership in 2009 but since then the European Council has refused four times (for four years) to grant the EU candidate status to NATO member country.
Council underlines that Albania will need to meet the key priorities for the opening of accession negotiations, in particular intensification of efforts in the rule of law area, particularly reform of the judiciary, fight against organised crime and corruption and protection of human rights and anti-discrimination policies.
"Constructive and sustainable dialogue between the government and the opposition on EU-related reforms will be vital in securing Albania’s EU future," the document said adding that Council "welcomes Albania’s continued constructive engagement in regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, which remains essential."
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