Albania begins negotiations today to join the European Union, focusing on key goals such as combating corruption and organized crime.
Discussions on these issues will continue until the end of the accession negotiations, and progress in meeting EU requirements will determine the overall pace of the process.
The talks were approved by EU ambassadors at the end of September, with Greece supporting the start of negotiations following the release of Fredis Beleris. Albania’s commitment to protecting minority rights, including those of the Greek minority, was also a critical factor.
The accession conference on Tuesday is the second held between the EU and Albania since it became a candidate country in 2014.
The accession talks came as pressure mounted on Prime Minister Edi Rama. Opposition supporters protested last week against the imprisonment of a member of the pro-European, conservative “Democratic Party” led by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. Berisha is under house arrest on corruption charges related to his previous administrations.
In contrast to Albania, North Macedonia remains outside the negotiations, mainly due to renewed tensions with Bulgaria and Greece.
