Italian, Greek ministers to push Albania to solve crisis

(TIRANA) - The Italian and Greek foreign ministers briefly visited Tirana on Monday to push Albanian political leaders to solve a long-lasting crisis that threatens the country's European perspective.

"Albania's political leaders should work together and make a national pact tasked with Albania's integration into the European Union," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told reporters.

Tirana expects to gain a EU candidate status by the end of this year, but a severe political crisis between the ruling and opposition parties has hampered the integration process.

"Everything depends on concrete results and introduction of important reforms demanded by the European Union," said Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis.

"There is no time to lose, they should work together," he added, speaking after the meetings with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, leader of the ruling Democratic Party, and Edi Rama, chief of the opposition socialists.

The two ministers also met President Bamir Topi and their Albanian colleague Edmond Haxhinasto.

Since the June 2009 parliamentary elections, the results of which the opposition refused to accept, the two political blocs have been at odds despite a number of mediation attempts by European envoys.

The long-lasting political crisis has dramatically slowed Albania's European integration as the parliament failed to pass important laws and carry out political, judicial and economic reforms required by Brussels.

Earlier this month, the opposition decided to end its boycott of parliament, only weeks ahead of an October 12 European Commission evaluation on Albanian readiness for EU candidacy status.

Last year the EU rejected Albania's application, urging political forces to focus on reforms and comply with European standards.