Following its adoption of the annual Enlargement Package, including seven individual reports, assessing the implementation of the EUs enlargement policy, the European Commission recommended on Tuesday that accession negotiations be opened with Albania and Macedonia, in light of the progress achieved, maintaining and deepening the current reform momentum.

The Union must be stronger, more solid and more efficient before it can be bigger. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/VicePresident of the Commission Federica Mogherini said.

The work on reforms and modernization however needs to continue, in the interest of the partners and the European Union Meanwhile, Johannes Hahn Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations stated that the EU enlargement policy continues to be a key engine driving reforms in the Western Balkans. The recommendations for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania we issued today acknowledge the progress made. Its an important step forward, but it is clear and this counts for all Western Balkans countries: there are no shortcuts on the way to the EU. Important gaps remain. We need to see the reforms, especially in the rule of law, be implemented more vigorously and produce sustainable results, Hahn said.

As the report pointed out, for the accession perspective to become a reality, countries must ensure that the reforms are properly implemented and that they demonstrate a track record of concrete results, stressing that the Commission will continue to support these ref6rm efforts through policy support and focused financial assistance. The European Council will have to decide to open accession negotiations with Albania and Macedonia in June.

The 2018 annual report on Albania highlights good progress in areas of justice reform, fight against organised crime and regional cooperation. Progress must continue in all five key reform priorities, and continue to deliver concrete and tangible results.

Ambassador Vlahutin handed over the report to Prime Minister Rama, President Meta and Speaker Ruçi.  Ambassador Vlahutin congratulated the people of Albania, who deserve recognition of all their efforts, loyalty and trust in the values of the EU.

Message of Commissioner Johannes Hahn: