German European Minister Anna Lührmann has called Tuesday on the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the opposition to advance the undertaken reforms, saying the steps backwards would undermine the EU integration process.

In a joint conference with Deputy Prime Minister, Arben Ahmetaj, Lührmann stressed that Albania has taken steps forward in the fight against organized crime, emphasizing the arrest of senior officials and members of organized crime.

Moreover, Minister Lührmann said that the Balkans is important for Europe, underlining once again the importance of the functioning of the Berlin process for the creation of a regional market that should have part of the 6 countries.

"This year, when Albania sits for the first time in the United Nations Security Council, we are glad that we can rely on Albania. Albania has taken steps. Structures against organized crime have been set up. Senior officials and members of organized crime are being brought to justice. Both the government and the opposition are needed here.

The next steps would undermine the reform process. The Balkans are important for Europe. So in 2014 the federal government created the Berlin Process. Here it is clear that the path should follow the course of cooperation of 6 countries and the process should be comprehensive.

Progress needs to be made in the action plan for creating a regional market. This is important for the whole region. A good example of what can be achieved. This includes the abolition of roaming tariffs in the region.

As Minister of State, I am responsible not only for Europe but also for the protection of chemistry. I hope that during the next visit I will convince myself of the capacities of your country. We must protect nature and leave it to future generations. The Republic of Macedonia will be a close partner of Albania”, stated the German Minister.