TIRANA (Albania), December 7 (SeeNews) – The European Commission could recommend the opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania if the country makes further progress in the next six months, the president of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said.
The Commission is very impressed of the progress Albania is making in different fields and domains, including the reform of the judicial system, Juncker said during a joint news conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Brussels on Tuesday, according to an audio file posted on the website of the Commission.
Juncker noted Albania has achieved 'remarkable progress' in the fight against corruption.
The next six months will be crucial for the possibility to enter into a new phase, which will be difficult but necessary for starting the accession talks, Rama said at the news conference.
The Albanian prime minister paid a two-day visit to Brussels where he held meetings with high-ranking EU officials focused on the opening of EU membership negotiations and the reforms undertaken by Albania on the path to accession.
Albania received EU candidate status in June 2014.