News from Berlin
Merkel Hints at Granting EU Status to Albania
April 15th, 2014
News from Berlin - During Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s state visit to Berlin last month, Chancellor Merkel commended Albania on its radical process of change. This progression has become the core component of Albania’s aspiration to EU accession. Merkel confirmed that the European Commission’s progress report, which is due in June, should verify Albania’s improving development. Over the past few years, Germany and Albania have increased bilateral economic ties and trade between the two nations has recently become an important part of diplomatic relations.
Meanwhile during a press conference in Berlin alongside the Albanian PM, Merkel stated that Germany is very much considering the option of granting Albania the status of an EU candidate country. The two world leaders also held a closed meeting in which they principally focused on reforms and the integration process of Albania. Merkel confirmed that the European Commission report will give a more realistic picture of the state of affairs in Albania at this stage, and will potentially make it possible for EU status to be granted.
Prime Minister Rama also praised Germany’s role in Albania and the Balkans; in particular the transformative capacity it has on the entrepreneurial culture of the private sector. At a meeting with German parliament officials and delegates from the business community, he also encouraged German companies to invest more in the region. The PM also invited Merkel to visit Tirana, the Albanian capital, for further talks.
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