Costa: EU Is Western Balkans' Most Reliable Partner

President of the European Council Antonio Costa (Photo: PrintScreen YouTube)

European Council President Antonio Costa said in Tirana on June 2 that the EU is the most reliable partner, biggest investor and main trade partner of the Western Balkans and Albania, and lauded Albania's efforts to join the EU.

At a news conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Costa recalled that at last week's eight conference on Albania's accession to the EU the country's progress was confirmed and that it has met the temporary goals of negotiating Cluster 1 - Fundamentals.

"The continuous, visible political commitment to rule of law and ensuring an independent and responsible judiciary is the key foundation for membership in the EU. I encourage you to step up efforts in fighting corruption and organized crime," Costa added.

The president of the European Council stressed that membership in the EU is more than merely entering its single market, the Council's website said.

"It means joining a political community built on joint values, which shares a joint strategic choice. The EU has through resilient institutions and strong economic ties created lasting peace and stability for its members. Enlargement offers the same chances to our neighbors in Europe, like Albania," Costa, who began a several-day-long tour of the Balkans in Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 1, stressed.