TIRANA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Albania has a serious chance to start accession talks with the European Union (EU) in October, the country's Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj said here on Thursday.
Cakaj made the remarks while speaking to EU integration experts and students about Albania's path towards joining the EU.
"Albania has preliminary political confirmation from the European Commission. The country stands at the forefront and hopes to open accession talks with the EU. This is a process that depends not only on Albania, but also on other developments in Europe. We are working not only to open negotiations but to be in the right position even after the negotiations start," Cakaj said.
According to Cakaj, the Albanian government's political commitment will enable a qualitative transformation of the European Commission's positive technical evaluation into an agreement by the European Council to turn Albania's long-held aspiration into reality in October.
The acting minister also expressed his belief that both Albania and North Macedonia deserve to get a positive answer from the Commission in October and start accession negotiations at the same time.
"There should be no division between Albania and North Macedonia for the opening of accession negotiations on Oct. 18. Albania has met the conditions and has the potential to continue the path of integration," Cakaj said.
In June, the European Union postponed the start of formal accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia until October. The European Commission recommended that accession talks should begin with the two Balkan countries after they had carried out the required reforms. Enditem
