EU, Albania sign association agreement

LUXEMBOURG, June 12 (UPI) -- Albania and the European Union signed an association agreement, bringing the Balkan state out of decades of communist isolation.

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said, "Today's date is of great importance for Albania's history," adding that dreams to return Albania to Europe after years of isolation have become true, Serbia's Beta news agency reported.

After World War II in 1945, Albania was under communist rule from World War II until 1989.

The agreement on association and stabilization was signed by Berisha and 25 EU foreign ministers. The agreement has to be ratified by Albania's parliament and all the 25 EU states.