Europe gets the green light for the candidacy of the tiny Balkan state Albania to become a part of the European Union. The decision to allow Albania to begin the lengthy process of “accession” membership negotiations was given the green light by a meeting of European ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday, before being signed off by EU leaders in a summit on Friday. Europe thus acknowledges the recent efforts to reform the country, says European Commissioner Stefan Füle, “Congratulations on the application which has just been approved. It is a recognition of the reform efforts and encouragement for more.”