(Jamma) Green light from the European Commission to grant Albania the status of candidate country for membership "on the understanding that it continues its action in the fight against organized crime and corruption". This is the report's recommendation on the enlargement published by the EC, which warns Tirana: to open the negotiations "remains essential" a constructive and sustainable political dialogue, plus new progress in the field of administration, the rule of law and fundamental rights.
For the future, the EU Commission 'recommends' Tirana, among other things, to take "concrete measures" to decisively apply the reforms, guarantee regional cooperation in the fight against organized crime and achieve concrete results in terms of investigations, actions criminal and sentencing at all levels, especially in the context of drug production and trafficking, trafficking in human beings, including minors, and illegal gambling; urges the government to work towards results in financial investigations focusing on cases of unexplained wealth and the link of such cases to criminal activities and organized crime; reiterates the need to further strengthen coordination between law enforcement bodies.
Based on the report of the European Commission, it will be up to the leaders of the 28 EU countries to give the green light to Albania in the EU Council in December. Currently, the officially candidate countries to join the Union of 28 are Turkey, Iceland, Serbia, Montenegro and the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia.
