Albanian Socialist Prime MinisterFatos Nano has won a fresh mandate from parliament to workon an association accord with the European Union after months ofSocialist feuding put reforms in doubt.
Mr Nano secured the votes and a stronger grip on power byforging an alliance, dubbed the European and NATO Integrationcoalition, with the Social-Democrats and smaller allies. Theywill work to sign an association accord with the EU within 2004.
Mr Nano and fellow Socialist Mr Ilir Meta, an ex-premier, havebeen in a power struggle since winning elections in 2001. Theyhave taken turns kicking each other out of power by using half adozen votes as a blocking minority
The infighting has hamstrung reforms and thrown in doubthopes of one day joining the European Union.
Amid shouted protests by opposition Democratic Party MPs whosurrounded parliament's speaker, the ministers were voted inwith the votes of the majority Socialists and their allies.
"The improved government will work hard on the prioritiesAlbania faces on its (European) integration process," a beamingMr Nano told parliament after the vote.
"We face the important task of continuing negotiations withEU and reforming the army so Albania can aspire to become amember of NATO at the Istanbul summit in 2006," he added.
Albania has a jobless rate of 13 per cent and is one of Europe'spoorest countries. The economy is expected to expand by almostfour per cent in 2003.
The European Union last month warned Albania it was notpaying enough attention to the reforms it needed to make if itwas serious about eventually joining the wealthy bloc.