EU, US hail and warn Albania

TIRANA, Sep 16 – Only a day or two after the evaluation report of the OSCE/ODIHR on Albania’s June 28 parliamentary elections, the European Union and the United States made their statements hailing Albanians for their voting but also calling on the country’s government and politics to continue reforms in their path toward integration into the EU.
A declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union wrote that “The EU emphasises the importance of ensuring that shortcomings in the elections are examined, lessons are drawn and that the recommendations included in the report are followed up by the Government and all parties concerned.
The EU encourages all political parties in Albania to pursue a constructive political dialogue. In particular, maintaining a permanent dialogue in Parliament is a key element of democracy. Free and fair elections are an essential requirement to fulfill the criteria for EU membership. The EU is committed to continue to provide support to Albania in this important process, helping Albania to move forward towards European integration.”
In a statement also Wednesday the United States noted the September 14 issuance by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of its final report on the June 28 parliamentary elections in Albania.
“We welcome the improvements from previous elections described in the report, such as an improved legal framework and voter registration process. These areas marked tangible progress over previous elections,” it said.
The ODIHR report has also identified shortcomings. There were issues noted in vote counting and tabulation as well as in media bias for the main political parties. Additionally, ODIHR outlines problematic actions and pressure by political parties and the government during the electoral campaign.
“We urge the Government of Albania and all Albanian political parties to use this report and the recommendations contained within to improve the conduct of future elections. The United States stands ready to work with the Government of Albania, the OSCE, and the European Union to address the areas noted for improvement.”
Government spokeswoman Majlinda Bregu, also minister of integration, hailed the western reaction saying that was, “ƣonfirmation of the responsibility that the Albanian government has carried out and is to apply all its obligations taking the country nearer to the EU.”
Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt, whose country holds the EU rotating presidency this second part of 2009, said that, “Albania is in a better position […] [after] the OSCE-ODHIR report on elections.”
Albania showed significant improvements in holding general elections in June but still fails to fully meet international standards, according to the evaluation report.
The ODIHR noted problems at ballot counting centers during the June 28 vote, as well as examples of, “ơttempts to influence voters, and pressure on voters or election officials.”
It states that the conduct of the elections showed, “ƭarked progress on previous polls, but that the elections still did not meet international standards.”
Enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn also agreed that Albania now has a better chance of progressing in its European processes.
Albania submitted its application for EU candidacy in April. The EU has always said that it will only deal with the application after the observers’ election report was in, adding that the conduct of the elections would have a significant impact on how Brussels will act vis-a-vis Tirana.
But it is learnt that Germany has postponed considering Albania’s request for October, while EU officials would carefully read the ODIHR report.
According to sources in Brussels, in October the EU will likely provide a mandate to the European Commission to conduct an in-depth analysis of whether Albania has met all the conditions required of an EU candidate state.