Report for Albania: EC recommendations have been partially implemented

2024-10-30 18:16:20, Aktualitet CNA

The European Commission assessed today during the publication of the Annual Report for Albania that the country has generally maintained a high level of ambition to move forward in the membership negotiations, noting that the ongoing process of membership talks should lead to an acceleration of reforms related to the EU. In the main areas, it results that the recommendations left by the European Commission, in the vast majority of cases, have only been partially implemented, and in some cases they have remained unimplemented. The report also states that the government continued to adopt policies and laws, raising concerns about compliance with EU standards.

Albania was able to start concrete negotiations for membership two weeks ago with the opening of the first chapter group, known as Fundamentals, which includes important areas from the Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, to Justice and Security, Public Procurement, Statistics and Financial Control. This year's report begins precisely with the analysis of the situation in these areas.

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The commission first evaluates the democratic developments, focusing on the parliament, whose supervision over the government, according to the report, remains limited. It talks about the high polarization and clashes between the majority and the opposition "due to the alleged limitations of its rights", the report says.

As for the government, the European Commission says that it continued to show its commitment to EU integration, but on the other hand it is noted that "The government continued to adopt policies and laws, raising concerns about compliance with EU standards- of. The division of responsibilities between local and central government remains worrying".

Focusing on the chapters that are part of the talks that have started, the commonality is that the country is estimated to be "averagely prepared", but while the specific areas are evaluated, in the vast majority of cases it turns out that the recommendations left by the European Commission have only been partially implemented , while in some cases they remained unimplemented.

Regarding the functioning of the judiciary, "concerns remain about attempts at political interference and pressure on the judicial system, as well as deficiencies in the appointments, which should be merit-based, of non-judicial members of the High Judicial Council (HCJ) and the High Council of Prosecutor's Office (KLP) and for their integrity".

As for the fight against corruption, Albania is estimated to be "between being somewhat prepared and moderately prepared, and that it has shown some progress".

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The report assesses the results of the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime in pursuing and investigating complex anti-corruption cases, including those related to politicians and high-level officials, as well as cases involving the protection of the EU's financial interests. However, it is noted that "corruption remains a serious concern and prevention efforts have had limited impact."

Even for the fight against organized crime, SPAK is the one that has received praise, but the country is asked to "continue to work to ensure the independence of its law enforcement agencies".

In two areas, "fundamental rights" and "freedom of expression", it turns out that Albania has not implemented the recommendations left by the European Commission a year ago./ VOA