Opposition compares the country to Iran

TIRANA, Dec. 13 – The country is in a political crisis with the opposition boycotting the parliament and asking for a vote recount.
The governing Democrats say opening a number of ballot boxes means breaking the law.
But the country is also involved in a wordy clash. People are listening to all kinds of words the politicians are saying against each other.
What Albanian politicians also do is compare the country to others, usually all remote or very backward politically and democratically.
The opposition lawmakers said last week that it was only Albania and Iran that did not open the ballot boxes to recount the votes. Taulant Balla said that Romania was recounting the votes in its recent vote.
Romania’s case served to them as a clear indication they were right in their request.
Even in Afghanistan the ballot boxes were recounted, he said.
“Only in Iran and in Albania the ballot boxes do not open,” he said.
That has become a usual way for the local politicians to fight against each other.
But they do not think about the effect such comparisons have on the country along with its integration process effort.
Albania is asking Europe to make it a member, and also give the visa-free regime soon. Such words do not help.
The European Union called on Albania to start political dialogue to overcome the problems in the country. Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt, whose country holds the EU presidency until the end of the year, called on Albanian authorities and political parties to start immediate dialogue in the view of the development of the country. Political conditions in Albania require fast dialogue for the country to move forward and this message is important for Tirana, Bildt said.
Strengthening the rule of law and notably the fight against organized crime and corruption, as well as the proper functioning of state institutions, especially the independence of the judiciary, remain urgent challenges for Albania. Administrative and enforcement capacity require further strengthening, and independence of the administration needs to be ensured. More efforts should be made to improve conditions for media freedom.
The Council encourages Albania to continue its constructive role in the stability of the region. The EU also calls on all political parties in Albania to pursue a constructive political dialogue, including in parliament.
The Council recalls that it invited the Commission in November 2009 to submit its opinion on Albania’s application for membership in the European Union. The application will be assessed according to the principles set out in the Treaty and the criteria defined by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993, as well as the December 2006 European Council conclusions on the renewed consensus for enlargement. The Council agrees to return to the matter when the Commission has presented its opinion.