Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati, following the adoption of the conclusions of EU Council of Ministers on enlargement:

"I welcome the conclusions of EU Council of Ministers on enlargement. For our country, the findings confirm the achievements recorded in the report of the European Commission, the will and determination of the government to intensify reforms in the rule of law in economy.

The Council has assessed the steady progress of Albania in meeting established priorities for the opening of accession negotiations, especially in the reform of public administration and measures taken in preparation for the reform of the justice system.

Albania's active role in the region and full alignment with the EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy are identified as valuable assets of our foreign policy.

As clearly evidenced in the conclusions of the EU Ministers, justice reform is of the utmost importance for the opening of negotiations and at the same time interlinked with the consolidation of achievements in the fight against corruption, organized crime and the effective implementation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Recommendations of the European Commission, supported by the conclusions of the Council of Ministers of the EU, will constitute the political orientation of our action towards meeting key priorities, which will enable further progress towards the opening of accession negotiations".