Albania opened negotiations with the European Union, 16 years after the signing of the Stabilization-Association Agreement.The opening of negotiations means a technical process that will start with the full control of the Albanian state administration and all the Albanian legislation to be aligned with the legislation of the European Union.
The European Commission will launch teams that will be attached to the state administration in Albania, where they will control the laws and their implementation. With the alignment of these laws, chapters will be opened and closed with success or failure, which will be 35 in total.
The first chapter with which the negotiation process will start is that of basic human rights, and then there will be chapters on justice reforms, the fight against corruption, media freedom, etc.
Then there will be chapters on economic and commercial ties. This process will be followed step by step by the European Commission. This process is expected to take several years.
Here are the first benefits that can be signed in the first year.
The first chapter is called “Free movement of people and goods”. In this chapter it is emphasized that “The principle of free movement of goods means that products must be traded freely from one part of the Union to another”.
In a number of sectors, this general principle is complemented by a harmonized regulatory framework. Following the establishment of product specifications or regulation of standards. Which means any goods that are exported to the EU must have all the requirements that the Commission requires, where brands, security, etc. are involved.
Harmonized European product legislation represents the largest part of the acquis communautaire. In addition, administrative capacity is essential to make negotiation possible. So every Albanian entity that exports to the EU must meet the requirements that the EU requires.
Another area that Albanians can benefit in the short term is the European labor market. Acquis Communitaire under this chapter provides that Albanians have the right to work in an EU country.
EU migrant workers should be treated in the same way as local workers, regarding working conditions, social and tax advantages. Member States should ensure that the acquis national law also harmonizes the rules regarding regulated professions to ensure mutual recognition of qualifications and diplomas between Member States.
For some regulated professions, a minimum training program must be followed in order to qualify, as far as postal services are concerned, the acquis also aims to open up the postal services sector gradually. Also, Albania will join the European civil defense and this will increase the confrontation on earthquakes and civil emergencies.
Another benefit from the opening of negotiations is the increase of investments from the EU.
/Klara Ruci/