The Head of European Union (EU) delegation to Albania Luigi Soreca encouraged Albanian authorities on Monday to engage more in the fight against corruption as a key priority for its EU integration process.

Soreca said that the EU supports the initiative launched by authorities to make changes in the public administration, emphasizing that this requires political will.

"Corruption damages Albania's reputation," Soreca said.

According to Soreca, fight against corruption is of crucial importance for all Albanian citizens and the country's economic development.

"Corruption has a big cost for the country and society. It has an effect on the administration and services which are offered. It also has a destructive effect for the economy of the country," Soreca said.

Soreca said that fight against corruption is one of Albania's key priorities for its EU integration path.

EU decided last June that membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia may open if the two countries continue with the progress of reform.

The Albanian government has voiced hope that the country would be able to open accession talks with EU in June this year.

Albania was given EU candidate country status in 2014. Enditem