PRESS RELEASE: JEF Netherlands, JEF Albania and JEF-Europe, criticize the recent Dutch Parliamentarian motion to veto Albania's Candidate Status Links to the Press release http://communicate-europe.co.uk/index.php?id=21422 http://jefnederland.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/press-release-jef-netherlands-jef-albania-and-jef-europe-criticize-the-recent-dutch-parliamentarian-motion-to-veto-albanias-candidate-status/ http://www.jefalbania.org/v2/Deklarate-16.12.2013.pdf Den Haag/Tirana/Brussels, December 16, 2013. JEF-Netherlands, JEF-Albania and JEF-Europe strongly criticize the Dutch parliament's decision to veto Albania's Candidate Status in a motion that has been adopted in Dutch Parliament on Thursday, December 12. The adopted motion , proposed by Christian-Democrats (CDA) and the Christian Union (CU) and supported by the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of Prime Minister Rutte, demands from the Dutch government to wait until the next development report and also to not offer candidate status for the near future under certain conditions. Following the stance of JEF-Europe on the integration of the Western Balkans, both the European Commission and European Parliament are in favour of awarding the candidate status to Albania, considering that it is not a legal title but one of political symbolism. "Albania has implemented several reforms of its public administration and is pro-actively tackling corruption. Not only interested states should be reliable but also the European partners in following up on promises", argues Simone Bolten, President of JEF Netherlands. The European Council has agreed last year to consider candidacy when 12 requirements are fulfilled such as the implementation of property rights and the strengthening of the judicial institutions. "For further progress to happen, we need to show that our incentives are reliable and grant them candidate status", explains Leonie Martin, International Officer of JEF Netherlands. "If these conditions do not satisfy the Dutch parliamentarians, what precisely will?" "Unfortunately, Albania will be paying the consequences in case of any delay by losing the chance to move a step forward the integration and all advantages of an EU Candidate Country", stresses Jona Spahiu, President of JEF Albania. Albania's candidate status will be on the European Council's agenda for the third time on December 19 -20. The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Füle, has affirmed that the Commission supports the application by stating "Albania has delivered and so should the EU" on December 10. Since its accession to the NATO in 2008, Albania has been part of the European Free Trade Area since 2009. Citizens of Albania can enter the Schengen area without visas since 2010. "These steps prove our country's progress towards integration which Dutch Parliamentarians should have strongly considered", underlines Spahiu. The board of JEF Netherlands criticizes the lack of public debate and also further elaboration on the parliamentarians' side on their reasoning. "The case of Albania should not be politicized for the upcoming European Parliamentary elections", warns Bolten. In contrast, the EU needs to show that the reform processes it has triggered so far are confirmed by the good developments. Sebastjan Zonja, Board Member of JEF Albania argues, "Public and political support for the fight against corruption, for strengthening the judiciary, for the reforms of the public administration and the fight against organised crime. exist at all levels. Opening the debate on our country's candidate status would be a great sign for this." "The EU member states cannot make the enlargement policy and communication to the candidate countries the playground of internal problems and package deals. The EU and its member states have to communicate clearly that they will keep the promise of enlargement and will make this come true as soon as the states have completed their reform processes" states Pauline Gessant, President of JEF-Europe. If promises are given under certain conditions and those conditions are fulfilled, the EU should also follow up on this and give what is promised -- Candidate status. It will also be seen as a further incentive to install further reforms. Therefore, JEF encourages all stakeholders and especially the members of the European Council to vote in favour for candidacy. "If they vote against it, we demand explanations to stimulate a public debate on this matter", conclude the representatives of JEF-Netherlands, JEF-Albania and JEF-Europe

• published: 17 Dec 2013
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