Albania 2009 progress report. Commission staff working document.

Abstract

Since March 2002, the Commission has reported regularly to the Council and Parliament on the progress made by the countries of the Western Balkans region. This progress report largely follows the same structure as in the previous years. The report: –briefly describes the relations between Albania and the Union; –analyses the situation in Albania in terms of the political criteria for membership; –analyses the situation in Albania on the basis of the economic criteria for membership; –reviews Albania’s capacity to implement European standards, that is, to gradually approximate its legislation and policies to the acquis, in line with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the European Partnership priorities.