Zanda Kalnia-Lukaševica: the integration of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina into the EU promotes the region’s development and stability

On 29 April in Strasbourg, the Latvian Foreign Ministry’s Parliamentary State Secretary for EU Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, speaking on behalf of the Council of the European Union, expressed her appreciation for the positive development of the EU’s relations with Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while at the same time indicating that both countries need to honour political commitments and implement reforms. The debate took place as the European Parliament prepares to adopt a resolution on the European Commission’s recommendations for Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Parliamentary State Secretary of EU Affairs said that Albania has indeed shown resolve to carry out reforms related to integration with the EU up to this point, but before the accession negotiations are launched, Albania must also demonstrate the concrete results of those reforms. She was referring in particular to enhancement of the effectiveness of the judicial system, and the fight against organised crime and corruption. Albania was granted the status of an EU candidate country in 2014.

In regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica commended the positive developments in the EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina relations over the past half a year. She also emphasised that the recent commitment made by the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning the necessary reforms has enabled the EU Council to make the decision that the Stabilisation and Association Agreement will come into force in June this year.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, unlike Albania, has not yet been granted the status of candidate country. The stabilisation and association agreements outline the steps that are necessary to bring Western Balkan countries closer to the EU.

The European Commission prepares annual progress reports on EU candidate countries and aspirants. The reports are reviewed both by the EU Council and the European Parliament. Progress Reports on Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina were adopted in October 2014.

The European Parliament convenes for a four-day plenary session (Monday to Thursday) once a month in Strasbourg. In addition, one-day sessions take place in Brussels on a monthly basis.