April 17 (SeeNews) - The European Commission recommends that accession talks be opened with Albania and Macedonia in light of the progress achieved, maintaining and deepening the current reform momentum, European foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Tuesday.
A step forward today for Macedonia and Albania is a step forward for the entire Western Balkans region, Mogherini said in a statement following the adoption of the European Commission's annual enlargement package.
“Our strategic focus and engagement are delivering practical progress and benefits to the people in the region. The work on reforms and modernisation however needs to continue, in the interest of the partners and the European Union,” Mogherini added.
Enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn said that EU enlargement policy continues to be a key engine driving reforms in the Western Balkans.
The recommendations issued for Macedonia and Albania acknowledge the progress made, Hahn said, adding that 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.”
Albania’s progress will be crucial in key fields such as the rule of law, in particular across all five key reform priorities, and continuing to deliver concrete and tangible results, in the re-evaluation of judges and prosecutors, according to the statement.
The Commission also said urgent reform priorities will be decisive for Macedonia's further progress.
The European Commission adopted on Tuesday its annual enlargement package, including seven individual reports, assessing the implementation of the European Union's enlargement policy which is based on established criteria and fair and rigorous conditionality.
The European Council will have to decide to open accession negotiations with Albania and Macedonia in June.
In February, the European Commission adopted its strategy for a credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans.
The European Council granted the status of candidate country for EU membership to Albania and Macedonia in 2014 and 2005, respectively.