Prime Minister Berisha meets the Director General of the European Commission’s Enlargement Directorate General, Mr. Michael Leigh

Today Prime Minister Berisha received the Director General of the European Commission DG Enlargement, Mr. Michael Leigh. After the meeting, Mr. Leigh and the Prime Minister held this joint press conference.Mr. Leigh: My visit to Albania is an opportunity for me to asses the progress being made within the framework of the interim agreement and to discuss the government’s programs of political and economic reform. This is particularly the time of year when we are beginning to work on our annual progress report which will be published this year in November. In my talk I also had the opportunity to discuss regional questions of major mutual concern, not least the question of the Kosovo status settlement. In my talk with the Prime Minister this morning we have particularly underlined the questions related to the alignment of legislation and practice here in Albania with the laws and rules of the European Union. We have also discussed the very important questions of the fight against organised crime and corruption. I think this is a very important issue, both for the confidence of the citizens of the country in its institutions and for the progress of Albania towards the European Union. I assured the Prime Minister and my other interlocutors that the European Commission was ready to put at the disposal of Albania the benefits of our experience in the important areas with other partner countries in the region. This year the European Union has introduced a new financial instrument, the instrument for pre – accession assistance as the single instrument to support reform efforts in Albania and other countries preparing for eventual EU membership. We are ready to mobilise all the instruments at our own disposal and also to work together with the European Investment Bank to support efforts to modernise the country and to pursue the process of economic and political reform. Thank you

Mr. Berisha: I thanked heartedly Mr. Michael Leigh for his visit. After the visit of Commissioner Olli Rehn, the visit of Mr. Leigh shows the great interest of the European Commission for the relations with Albania and for Albania. I made a detailed presentation to Mr. Leigh concerning all the reforms undertaken by the government, starting with the fight against organised crime and corruption and ending with the digital practices and the efforts of Albania to enter the digital era, as well as reforms in other fields. I also thanked him for all the assistance that the European Commission has given to Albania. I assured him that the Acquis Communautaire make the core of all the strategies drafted in Albania, which aim to bring Albania closer to the European Union as soon as possible. I informed Mr. Leigh about the current situation of the reforms, especially about the commitment of the government in the fight against informality and the improvement of the business climate, as well as the implementation of the rule of law. I assured him that we will rigorously comply to the contract signed on June 12th, in Luxenbourg, that is the Stabilisation Associaton Agreement. We welcome every assistance for the alignment of our legislation to the European legislation and very much appreciate the financial aid in the framework of IFA, as well as the funds of the European Investment Bank for the increase of our infrastructure. I want to assure Mr. Leigh that one of our major goals is change, in order to come closer to the European Union. Thank you

Question: Mr. Leigh, having met all the Albanian political factors, how do you judge the political climate in Albania and to what extent will the election of the President influence the process of Albanian integration into the European Union.

Every year, one of the questions that the European Commission monitors is the stability of the institutions which guaranty democracy, including the functioning of the Parliament. We never seek to become involved in internal political developments, but we do assess the overall functioning of the country’s institutions. I think when there’s an ambitious programme of reforms up for approval, it is desirable to the greatest extent possible to build a wide national consensus in favour of these reforms. In my different discussions I have encouraged the different political leaders in the country to the extent possible to work together for these reforms across political divide.