Samenvatting

The EU was formed in 1958 by six European countries. Since then, 21 other countries have joined this union and still others are hoping to join. Albania is one of these countries. Albania, also known as the 'best kept secret of Europe' has submitted its application on April 28, 2009. The country has been isolated for almost 41 years during the communistic regime of Enver Hoxha. Since his death in 1985, the Albanian government has only had one wish and that is to be a part of Europe.
On May 11, 1992, Albania signed the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU. This was seen as the most important event in the relation between Albania and the EU. Since then, the country has made big steps and after that, other agreements and co operations followed. The signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement on June 2009 was seen as the first step toward the EU accession. According to the European Commission, Albania has hitherto, very well implemented its obligations under the SAA.
The country also joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 2009 and has since then participated in several peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia and Herzegovina. As last year December, Albanian citizens who are in possession of a biometric passport became able to travel freely to Schengen countries without a visa. The citizens of the country that was once isolated from the rest of the world are now free to travel for a period of three months to these countries. This decision was made based on the progress that Albania had made in fighting corruption, organised crimes and illegal migration.
At the moment, Albania is a potential candidate state. The country first has to meet the Copenhagen criteria in order to become an EU member. The criteria consist of political, economic and the acquis criteria and in particular the 12 key priorities that the European Commission has set up for the country. So far, Albania has made progress in rule of law, human rights and democracy reforms. However, negotiations with Albania can only take place once the country has fulfilled the criteria and especially the political criteria. In comparison to the other potential candidate state, Bosnia and Herzegovina, we can conclude that Albania is further in the accession process. While Albania has no difficulties with implementing its obligations under the SAA, Bosnia and Herzegovina is having troubles with fulfilling her responsibilities of the Interim Agreement and the Stabilisation and Association Agreement has not entered into force yet, which is the first step towards accession. Even though, Albania has made effort in reforms, it still has a long way to go.