With the European Union buffeted by economic crisis, constitutional arguments and worries about relations with Russia, it would be easy for its leaders to overlook the formal EU membership bid from little Albania. Easy but wrong. The Union’s eastward enlargement is among its greatest successes; it must be enhanced by embracing the fragile states of the western Balkans, including Albania.
Tirana’s move comes just days after EU states accepted an entry application from neighbouring Montenegro. Albania may have to wait a few months for a go-ahead as Brussels will quite rightly wish to see that the June parliamentary election takes place in line with EU standards. But barring mishaps both countries should soon begin the arduous business of multi-year entry negotiations.
