European Commission: Open EU Talks With Albania, Macedonia

The European Commission called on Tuesday for the start of EU accession negotiations with Albania and Macedonia.

"A step forward for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania is a step forward for the entire west Balkans region," said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.

She said that both countries have "delivered important reforms" over the past year, and that "this is the moment we recognise positive change".

Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said that the EU's enlargement policy "continues to be a key engine driving reforms in the western Balkans".

"I would like to congratulate our partners for this successful work. This is a job well done, but there is no time for complacency," Hahn said.

The recommendations were made in the Commission's annual so-called 'Enlargement Package' which consists of seven individual reports on Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

Albania and Macedonia were deemed "moderately prepared" for EU membership in the fields of economic and legislative reforms.

However, the number of unfounded asylum applications lodged by Albanian nationals to EU member states and Schengen-associated countries has remained high, and crime and corruption remain an issue.

"More efforts are needed to tackle money laundering, criminal assets and unjustified wealth," the report on Albania reads.

Macedonia is said to have "finally overcome its most severe political crisis since 2001", but the long-running name dispute with Greece is still a problem.

"The 'name issue' needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency," the report warns. 

EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn and foreign...