European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) (Republic of Albania) Order 2007

I am grateful for the support for the SAA process and this order, as well as for the points raised in the debate. We all fundamentally agree that the countries of the western Balkans need to continue making progress towards stability and that they need to continue to move away from the dark shadow cast by the 1990s. That will require our continued commitment to the region and to promoting its political and economic process. As regards the questions of the noble Lord, Lord Astor, about safeguards to ensure that the money provided for Albania is properly spent, UK embassies and EC delegations on the ground monitor the effectiveness of EU and EC spending. The integrated planning system for government, which was a key element of programme activity funded by the UK, has been monitored by the UK and its international partners. Do the Government have any plans to discuss Albania’s progress with the United States? I do not know, but I will certainly mention that to my colleagues in the Foreign Office. I am sure that it will be discussed at some point. With regard to NATO, Albania hopes to get an invitation to join the alliance at the 2008 NATO summit. At the previous NATO summit in Riga, the allies committed to extending invitations to aspirant members, provided that they met the required standards. Success for Albania will depend on it meeting the conditions set out in its NATO membership action plan and satisfying NATO allies that it is indeed ready to take on the responsibilities of membership. The country is reasonably well positioned in many respects, but in the coming weeks and months its political class must show that it has the political maturity to deal with political challenges to keep the reform process on track. That will give Albania the best chance of receiving an invitation. As the noble Lord, Lord Dykes, said, Albania is already proving itself to be a strong ally of the West. I am grateful for the noble Lord’s kind words about the treaty itself and the fact that it is, perhaps, a model. It is good to hear that a treaty is a model, because often we are lambasted about treaties. I assure noble Lords that the ratification process will continue. Everything is going according to plan and we can see no problems. The noble Lord was right to be encouraged by the recent election process, which is a great tribute to Albanians. The Government believe that the prospect of European and Euro-Atlantic integration has been vital in driving reform and encouraging stability in the western Balkans. The stabilisation and association agreements are important building blocks in this process. Albania’s SAA will provide a framework for continued reform and will send a strong signal to the countries of the region that we are serious about their European future. We will continue to encourage progress towards the EU, while insisting that the countries meet the necessary conditions. I commend the order to the House. On Question, Motion agreed to.