Rule of Law Crucial to Albania’s EU Integration; Portugal’s State Secretary
Rule of law and closer engagement in the process of approximation with the European Union is at the heart of the EU membership process, has highlighted Tuesday the current Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal, Ana Paula Zacarias.
The above statement came after the 27 European Union ministers discussed in Brussels the enlargement of the European Union to the countries of the Western Balkans and finding a solution to open formal negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania before the end of the Portuguese presidency at the end of June of this year.
In addition, Zacarias considered the rule of law a “fundamental†element to EU integration as she added that this is the main thing that will be taken into account when the entire process is analyzed. She also confirmed that the debate will continue, so as to see if the first intergovernmental conference with Albania and North Macedonia can be held.
“I can say that the rule of law is at the center of the European Union membership process and the closer engagement in the process of approximation with the European Union. The rule of law is at the heart of the methodology.
This is an essential element and we will certainly take this into account when analyzing the whole process. We will continue the talks and debate to see if we can have the first intergovernmental conference with Albania and North Macedonia. But I have to underline this message. The rule of law is at the heart of the new methodology of the EU membership process.
On the part of the European Commission, we are working very hard so that Albania and North Macedonia can hold their first intergovernmental conference as soon as possible. Based on the past experience of enlargements, we have adapted the membership process and put at the center the rule of law and all other sensitive issues, which should now be decided in the context of negotiationsâ€, noted Portugal’s Secretary of State.
Previously, the Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations MaroÅ¡ Å efÄoviÄ underlined that the rule of law is the main parameter for the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.
"I can emphasize that the commission is working hard so that both countries can hold the first intergovernmental conference as soon as possible. Enlargement is a very demanding process.
We have given special importance to the rule of law and all sensitive issues that need to be settled in the negotiations, with them we close the chapters. I think that the rule of law will be the main parameter for the negotiations", said Å efÄoviÄ.