USAID to allocate $12 million to accelerate Albania's accession to EU

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will allocate $12 million for a program to accelerate Albania's accession to the European Union.

For the sake of this goal, it is planned to improve competitiveness and integration of the country's economy into the European market, RT reports citing the relevant document.

The agency plans to bring Albania's legislation in line with EU norms through cooperation with the country's government and private sector and the creation of "value chain support".

It is noted that in this way Albania will be able to achieve the Copenhagen economic criteria for EU accession. Among these criteria are a market economy and the ability to cope with competitive pressures within the EU.

However, Albania's integration into the EU market threatens European farmers with new problems, says political scientist Alexander Dudchak. In his opinion, Albania is not suitable as a sales market, and it is problematic to accept this country's duty-free goods on its territory.

"Therefore, Albania's acceptance [into the European market] is a disadvantage for the EU, and Albania itself - it is unlikely to be a great help," Dudchak believes.