After two “Nos” in 2010 and 2011 and a conditional recommendation for ‘candidate status’ in 2012, Albania was finally given the green light by the European Commission for the candidate status on 16 October. The EU executive’s progress report for Albania was significantly positive, based on the detailed action plan that the newly elected government has prepared as a benchmark in its road to European integration.

At this Policy Dialogue, Albanian Ministers stressed that this is a crucial moment for the country, a few weeks ahead of the December 2013 European Council when EU Member States’ decision on making Albania a candidate is expected.

Speakers included: Klajda Gjosha, Albanian Minister for European Integration; Nasip Naco, Albanian Minister of Justice; Sajmir Tahiri, Albanian Minister of Interior; Jean-Eric Paquet, Director Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo, European Commission; and Dušan Reljić, Head of the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik Office.