European Commission Ready To Prepare Opinion on Albania’s EU Membership Application

"Albania has continued to make progress in addressing the political criteria in line with the European Partnership. The parliamentary elections of June 2009 met most international standards but further efforts are needed to address the shortcomings identified," the Commission said in a statement released after it adopted its annual strategy on EU enlargement.

"Albania needs to make further progress, in particular regarding the rule of law and the fight against corruption and organised crime. The independence of state institutions, and in particular the judiciary, needs further strengthening,” the statement said.

The country also needs to reform and strengthen its legal system and address weaknesses in infrastructure and human capital, it said.

“Albania has made progress in aligning its legislation, policies and capacity with European standards. It now needs to enhance its efforts in the implementation of these laws and policies,” the statement added.

Progress remained limited in other areas, such as intellectual property rights, audiovisual, agriculture and veterinary/ phytosanitary controls. Tangible results as regards the fight against organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering are also necessary, the Commission said.

Albania signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU in 2006. It applied for EU membership in April this year.