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Xinhuanet (13 February 2018)

Albania's majority and opposition parties on Tuesday came up with a joint document expressing commitment to work together to help Albania's European integration.

The joint document was signed on the sidelines of the 12th meeting of Stabilization Association Committee in the capital over pas two days co-chaired by the chair of European Parliament (EP) delegation, Monica Macovei, and the chair of Albanian delegation Taulant Balla.

Speaking at a news conference, Balla said that Albania's two main political camps had finally come to a full agreement on majority-opposition recommendations that the Stabilization Association Committee addressed to the European Union.

"MEPs and Albanian MPs have come together to ask the member countries via the Council and Committee to recommend the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and set a date for the negotiations' kickoff," Balla said.

The chair of the EP delegation, Macovei, stated that the opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania was in the interest of the country. She voiced hope that in April, Albania would celebrate the opening of accession negotiations.

"Opening of negotiations will be associated with an increase of foreign investments in the country as they boost confidence in the country, which is instrumental," she said.

On the second day of the meeting, Slovakian EPP Group member of EP Eduart Kukan stated that Albania deserved the opening of EU accession negotiations. However, he noted that Albania needed to push EU members to make it happen.

The Albanian government is hopeful that the European Commission (EC) will recommend the opening of accession talks with EU in the first half of this year.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-02/14/c_136973766.htm