Albania officially signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement on June 12, which is the most important success in the country's long journey towards European Union membership since it began in 1992.
The event marked the end of a 15-year , marred by political and economical problems, and opened the start of a new process that will end when the country will become member of the EU.
The long awaited step has left Albanians relieved and delighted, but conscious of the need for Tirana to work hard in implementing the agreement.
Olli Rehn, the EU Enlargement Commissioner, said:" Brussels welcomed Albania 's progress in reforms, including the fight against corruption and organised crime, but noted the country still faced difficult challenges. The SAA indeed provides a solid framework for Albania to address these challenges and for the EU to support it doing so".
It is advice that Albania 's usually quarrelsome political parties have followed in this instance. In Luxembourg , opposition officials stood shoulder to shoulder with government officials.
Most people got a chance to share in the festive mood. Fireworks displays and a large concert ended the day in Tirana, whose streets were lined with EU and Albanian flags. Celebrations in Tirana are considered important, because it had taken long time to sign the agreement and the event has reassured Albanians that things are moving in the right direction.
Negotiations between Albania and the EU started in January 2003 but then stalled and the deadline for completion was postponed several times.
Most analysts agree Albania stands little chance of joining the EU in the next ten years, a belief reinforced by Rehn's statement the week before the signing, which said that after Bulgaria and Romania , no other countries were likely to join before the end of the decade.
The event marked the end of a 15-year , marred by political and economical problems, and opened the start of a new process that will end when the country will become member of the EU.
The long awaited step has left Albanians relieved and delighted, but conscious of the need for Tirana to work hard in implementing the agreement.
Olli Rehn, the EU Enlargement Commissioner, said:" Brussels welcomed Albania 's progress in reforms, including the fight against corruption and organised crime, but noted the country still faced difficult challenges. The SAA indeed provides a solid framework for Albania to address these challenges and for the EU to support it doing so".
It is advice that Albania 's usually quarrelsome political parties have followed in this instance. In Luxembourg , opposition officials stood shoulder to shoulder with government officials.
Most people got a chance to share in the festive mood. Fireworks displays and a large concert ended the day in Tirana, whose streets were lined with EU and Albanian flags. Celebrations in Tirana are considered important, because it had taken long time to sign the agreement and the event has reassured Albanians that things are moving in the right direction.
Negotiations between Albania and the EU started in January 2003 but then stalled and the deadline for completion was postponed several times.
Most analysts agree Albania stands little chance of joining the EU in the next ten years, a belief reinforced by Rehn's statement the week before the signing, which said that after Bulgaria and Romania , no other countries were likely to join before the end of the decade.
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