TIRANA, Albania, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the EU and the United States urged Albania Friday to step up its fight against organized crime if the country wants to join Euro-Atlantic structures.
"Albania is to be commended for its policy of firm support for the international endeavors on the fight against terrorism, but will have to act much more vigorously against organized crime, trafficking of drugs, arms and human being and corruption," said Geert Ahrens, head of the OSCE mission in Albania.
"Only this will bring Albania fully into the Euro-Atlantic structures", warned Ahrens.
He urged the Albanian authorities and political parties to stop "internal political bickering" and join the international efforts against terrorism and organized crimes.
The European Union is preparing to open negotiations with Albania about a stabilization and association agreement. Albania is the last Balkan country that has not reached an agreement with the EU, except for several former Yugoslav republics.
The U.S. ambassador in Tirana also urged Albanian authorities to fight organized crime.
"Albania needs to act much more vigorously against organized crime and trafficking," said U.S. Ambassador Joseph Limprecht, appealing to all political parties to take his anti-crime message seriously.
