US urges Western Balkans strengthen their democracies

The European Commission announced in May that it had proposed adding Kosovo to the list of countries granted visa-free travel in the 26-nation Schengen area.

Nuland called on Kosovo leaders to strengthen the rule of law, the justice system and the fight against corruption and organized crime as "fundamental for Kosovo's advance."

In Tirana Nuland is the latest to pressure the country's opposition Democratic Party to accept a draft of the judicial package, considered fundamental to ensuring that the EU will launch membership negotiations with Albania.

The Democrats want to give political parties the power to make judicial appointments, while the ruling Socialists want no party appointees.

Nuland stressed that the judicial reform "remains a high priority in the U.S.-Albania ties and for Albania's advance toward the EU," according to a statement from the Albanian foreign ministry after Nuland met with Minister Ditmir Bushati.