Visiting Schulz expects Albania to progress with rule of law

The president of the European parliament (EP) Martin Schulz said here on Monday he expects Albania to progress with the rule of law during his official visit to Albania.

Particular importance was given to the judiciary reform during the meeting between Schulz and Albanian speaker of parliament Ilir Meta, about which the EP President underlined must be stable and it constitutes a very important element for the increase of foreign investments in Albania.

Schulz and Meta shared the common confidence that the higher the quality of implementation of judiciary reform, the sooner Albania's advancement towards the opening of EU accession talks.

Asked by journalists if Albania will reach the goal to start negotiations with the EU this year, Schulz said that it is important that the reforms are effective and successful.

"The second half of 2015 is too soon. You have the full support of European Parliament, but as you know, it's not the only institution that decides on issuing a positive response for the start of talks with Albania. However, during the second half of this year, we will promote positive debate in order to have a positive response, while for the moment, I cannot give you a positive response," Schulz said.

In a joint press conference after the meeting, Meta said that "after the successful conclusion of the administrative-territorial reform and June 21 elections, our focus remains the reform to the judiciary, which is very important even for the success in the fight against corruption and organized crime," according to Albanian daily news. Endit