Prague to block Albania’s candidate status over utility dispute

According to EurActiv on the 11 June 2014, the Czech Republic was prepared to block the granting of EU candidate status to Albania over a dispute between the ČEZ Czech state-controlled power utility and the Albanian state.

The Albanian energy minister Damian Gjiknuri said on the following day the country expected to soon settle the dispute with Czech utility ČEZ over its loss-making power distributor, so that it could go ahead with a $200 million investment in its electricity sector.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Albania has the capacity to tackle its European integration challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-albania-has-the-capacity-to-tackle-its-european-integration-challenges/

ESO: Background information: Sixth meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council between Albania and the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-sixth-meeting-of-the-stabilisation-and-association-council-between-albania-and-the-eu/

ESO: Background information: EU-Albania: 3nd High Level Dialogue http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-eu-albania-3nd-high-level-dialogue/

The Prague Post, 09.06.14: Prague ready to block Albania's EU alignment over ČEZ dispute http://www.praguepost.com/eu-news/39515-prague-ready-to-block-albania-s-eu-alignment-over-cez-dispute

Balkan Insight, 11.06.14: Drop in Albanian Support for EU Integration http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albania-s-support-for-eu-integration-falls

EurActiv, 13.06.14: Albania to lift obstacle to EU candidate status http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/albania-lift-obstacle-eu-candidate-status-302785

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