Stabilization and association agreement ratified by 22 countries

Tirana, Nov. 2, 2008 (AENews) – Stabilization and Association Agreement between Albania and the European Union, has been ratified till now by 22 EU members, and the Albanian Government hopes to conclude this process by the end of the year, Ministry of Integration said today in a press release.

France, Germany and Greece, are among countries that have not yet ratified. Different media in Tirana have expressed doubts that some countries may have postponed ratification in order to pressure the Albanian government. According to some analysts, Athens has conditioned  the SAA ratification with the Macedonian name row.

The Stabilization and Association Agreement was signed in 2006 and is a mechanism toward Albania’s EU integration. According to the agreement, a decision to accept Albania as member state is scheduled after five years with the possibility to be postponed for another five years. Albania hopes to become EU member state in 2014.

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