The visit comes following the Commission's decision in October to recommend Albania as a candidate country to membership of the European Union.

On the 7th November Commissioner Damanaki will take part in a roundtable with representatives from the local fisheries and processing sectors, as well as coastguards, where she will highlight the importance of seas and coasts as a driver for growth. The Commissioner will meet with the Albanian Minister of Urban Development and Tourism, Ms Eglantina Gjermeni, to discuss Blue Growth and the role and potential of coastal tourism within it. She will then meet with Mr Ditmir Bushati, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the recommendation to grant candidate status to Albania and the potential next steps.

On 8th November the Commissioner will meet with Prime Minister, Mr Edi Rama, to discuss the Commission's 2013 Enlargement Package, strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, fisheries and CFP reform, as well as maritime zones in the Mediterranean.

The Commissioner will hold further meetings with Mr Edmond Haxhinasto, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Edmond Panariti, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water Administration, and Mr Ilir Meta, Speaker of Parliament. The visit will end with a roundtable with professors and university fishery experts, biologists and hydro-biologists.