(ANSA) - BRUXELLES - 2018 is going to be "decisive" for Albania: the launch of accession negotiations with the European Union could provide a "sense of direction" for the transformation of the country, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Ditmir Bushati, said during a press conference after the EU-Albania Association and Stabilization Council in Brussels.

"Albania has already started technical work for the implementation of the obligations and responsibilities under Chapters 23 and 24" on the judiciary, fundamental rights and freedoms, "right after the European Commission cleared the start of negotiations in 2016", Bushati pointed out.

When it comes to the fight against organised crime, Tirana is already cooperating with the Member States' police forces and Bushati highlighted "the work done by the Albanian police along with the Italian Guardia di Finanza" for the fight against drug trafficking and, notably, the cultivation and trafficking of cannabis. (ANSA).