[ALBSA-Info] EU, Albania to start talks on pact in 2002 - Prodi

[Gazhebo at aol.com]

EU, Albania to start talks on pact in 2002 - Prodi

By Linda Spahia
  
TIRANA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Thursday it 
planned to start negotiations on an association and stabilisation agreement 
with Albania early next year, but told the Balkan country it needed a stable 
government. 

European Commission President Romano Prodi said Tirana had made progress 
towards meeting standards for such a pact, which was offered to Albania along 
with Macedonia in 1999 as a reward for coping with the refugee crisis sparked 
by the Kosovo war. 

The EU's Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) is designed to foster 
commercial and political ties and is seen as a stepping stone towards 
membership of the 15-nation bloc. In the Balkan region, it has been signed by 
Croatia and Macedonia. 

"I will be happy to tell your prime minister that the Commission has proposed 
to start the negotiations," Prodi said. 

Prodi, who heads the Union's executive arm, said he hoped EU ministers would 
approve the decision by December and that talks would start next March. "This 
is a real big change (for Albania)," he told reporters. 

Prodi, who as Italy's premier helped stop anarchy in Albania in 1997, also 
said the Socialist government of Prime Minister Ilir Meta needed to be stable 
and strengthen its institutions if it wanted closer ties with the 15-nation 
bloc. 

Prodi, who during the visit was awarded an honorary degree by Tirana 
University for his contribution in stopping the violence four years ago, 
pointed out the need for internal stability. 

"I made a recommendation for the political stability of Albania because this 
long-term process needs a stable government and needs a real long-term 
cooperation," he said. "If Albania has stability it can make miracles." 

Albania was plunged into anarchy in 1997 by the collapse of fraudulent 
pyramid schemes in which most of the population had invested their savings. A 
multinational peace force led by Italy was installed for several months to 
restore order. 

The country has been peaceful since 1998 but its political scene remains 
potentially turbulent. 

Prodi praised Albania for what he said was its moderate role in the Balkans, 
especially during this year's conflict in Macedonia, and urged continued 
cooperation with its neighbours.