Article 6
The Association shall be implemented progressively and shall be fully realised over a transitional period of a maximum of 10 years, divided into two successive stages. The two stages shall not apply to Title IV, for which a specific schedule is laid down under that Title. The purpose of this division into successive stages is to make a thorough mid-term review of the implementation of this Agreement. In the field of legal approximation and law enforcement, the aim shall be for Albania to concentrate in the first stage on the fundamental elements, with specific benchmarks, of the acquis as described under Title VI. The Stabilisation and Association Council established under Article 116 shall regularly review the application of this Agreement and the accomplishment by Albania of legal, administrative, institutional and economic reforms in the light of the preamble and in accordance with the general principles laid down in this Agreement. The first stage shall start upon the date of entry into force of this Agreement. During the fifth year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement, the Stabilisation and Association Council shall evaluate the progress made by Albania, and shall decide whether this progress has been sufficient for the passage into the second stage in order to achieve full Association. It shall also decide on any specific provisions deemed necessary to govern the second stage.