EU tells Albania to put reform before feuding

TIRANA, March 7 (Reuters) - The European Union told Albania's leaders on Thursday to show that they can push through key reforms instead of feuding if they are serious about trying to join the bloc.

"If we get this impression in the next three months, I am confident the (European) Council will decide to open negotiations, but if not, there is a danger of delay," Reinhard Priebe, European Commission director for the Western Balkans, told a news conference.
Priebe said political infighting between factions of the governing Socialist Party had diverted their attention from economic and political reforms badly needed in one of Europe's poorest countries.

Priebe is head of a working group charged with reviewing progress on reforms that are preconditions for membership talks.

Albania had aimed to open negotiation to join the EU by the end of June while Spain holds the rotating presidency of the bloc. But since late last year a power struggle between Socialist party leader Fatos Nano and former premier Ilir Meta has paralysed government and ultimately forced Meta to resign.

Meta's successor, Pandeli Majko, has tried to remain above the feuding, but most of his colleagues are deeply divided between Nano and Meta and continue devote their energy to trading insults. Analysts believe it will be very hard for Majko's government to survive long in this divisive political climate.