Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-09-06-Speech-3-041"
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"en.20060906.5.3-041"2
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".
Madam President, it is a great pleasure to speak about the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Albania at the European Parliament today. The SAA is an important milestone on Albania’s path towards the European Union and a major step for the EU itself in the Western Balkans. It marks the beginning of a new phase in the EU’s relations with Albania and creates a new framework for partnership in a wide range of fields.
The SAA represents an important economic and political opportunity. Increased trade liberalisation will bring significant economic benefits to both Albania and the EU. Aligning Albanian laws with those of the EU will bring Albania closer to European standards and help further strengthen the ties between us.
Successfully implementing the SAA will be Albania’s next major challenge. The SAA creates significant obligations in terms of trade, rule of law, democratic standards and fundamental rights, regional cooperation and new legislation. The SAA sets up joint structures to foster dialogue and monitor progress, including a parliamentary committee. This committee will be able to take forward the good work of the current Joint Parliamentary Committee and will provide an important opportunity to guide Albania in the best traditions of European parliamentary democracy. I am sure it will also help to achieve a minimal degree of consensual political culture and underline the fact that a successful country in the European Union, or in the accession or pre-accession process, needs a broad political consensus on the question of European aspirations, as well as a basic consensus on a democratic culture in the country. It is important to take this into account as Albania pursues its European route.
The Commission warmly welcomes the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs for assent to the conclusion of the SAA. In our political dialogue we share the committee’s emphasis on encouraging Albania to build on progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime, and to address areas such as electoral reform, media freedom and human and minority rights with greater determination. We welcome the recommendations of the Committee on International Trade on improving Albania’s business environment, which is vital to enable Albania to make full use of the agreement.
I want to conclude by assuring you that, from the EU side, the European Commission will do its utmost to ensure that the full benefit of the SAA is truly achieved. I have made it clear to our Albanian partners that I expect no less from them."@en1
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