[ALBSA-Info] EU, OSCE urge Albania to combat illegal migration

[Gazhebo at aol.com]

EU, OSCE urge Albania to combat illegal migration

BRUSSELS, March 2 (Reuters) - The European Union and the Organisation for 
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) urged Albania on Friday to step up 
its fight against illegal migrants trying to enter the EU from its territory. 

But the two organisations, meeting senior Albanian officials in Brussels in 
the framework of the Friends of Albania Group, also praised Tirana's efforts 
to stabilise its economy and tackle organised crime. 

"The Friends encouraged the government to continue its work...by further 
strengthening the policing of its borders and taking action against those 
engaged in the smuggling of migrants," the EU and the OSCE said in their 
joint conclusions. 

They also expressed concern about delays in preparing for parliamentary 
elections in June and urged all political forces to show greater civic 
responsibility. 

"Politics remains polarised and personalities rather than policies still 
dominate the political debate," they said. 

The EU and the OSCE said the small, impoverished Balkan nation had made good 
progress in privatising its economy and achieving strong growth with 
relatively low inflation. 

The ministers of foreign affairs, justice, public order and the minister of 
state represented Albania at the one-day talks. 

On Thursday, international donors also commended Albania's economic progress 
during a meeting with Finance Minister Anastas Angjeli, but urged Tirana to 
shake up its energy sector. 

Albania, one of Europe's poorest countries, hopes to forge a stabilisation 
and association agreement with the EU, but officials say it is not yet ready. 
These agreements are seen as the first step towards eventual EU membership.