EP draft resolution calls for Albania EU candidacy

A draft resolution, asking that Albania be granted EU candidate country status, was presented to the EU's foreign affairs committee meeting in Strasbourg Thursday, according to a news release here. The draft, initiated by Nikola Vuljanic, who reports for Albania at the European Parliament (EP), recognizes Albania's progress in its efforts to meet the European integration reforms and grant the country EU candidacy later in 2013. It said that a lot remains to be done by the Albanian government, particularly concerning the public administration reform, the fight against organized crime and corruption, judicial independence and media pluralism. The draft resolution points to the need for dialogue and cross-party consensus. Before being approved by the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee and later by the European Parliament, the draft resolution may include amendments required by Members of the European Parliament. The European Commission in its report Wednesday suggested granting official EU candidate status to Albania.