Inter-ministerial Committee on Integration discusses Council of Europe Report on visa liberalization implications and Action Plan on 12 EU benchmarks

On 10 June 2011 the Inter-ministerial Committee on Integration discussed two important topics: The European Commission’s Report on the Western Balkans’ visa liberalization implications and the Action Plan on implementation of the 12 EU benchmarks. Regarding the first topic of the meeting agenda it was pointed out that the EC Report finds no increase of asylum-seekers from the Republic of Albania following the visa-free travel regime. This was considered a positive approach  confirming that the Albanian citizens have adopted a responsible attitude towards  the illuminating decision of the Schengen area governments. The second topic the Inter-ministerial Committee on Integration discussed was the fulfilment of the 12 recommendations of the EC Opinion on Albania's application for EU membership.

Since 31 January 2011, the government drafted an action plan  and consultations are under way with the EC and the groups of interest, the relevant agencies and civil society.