Tirana Times
TIRANA, June 20 – Albania was again one of the points which European Union leaders discussed in recent days at the ministerial meeting “EU-Western Balkans: Western Balkans Forum” held in Luxembourg on Monday.
The Council of the European Union also held a meeting to discuss the progress of the countries of the Western Balkans, Albania included, in the integration process to the bloc.
The EU called on the Albanian government and the opposition to urgently restore political dialogue and overcome the long-standing political stalemate.
“Such a dialogue is indispensable for the normal functioning of any democratic society and its institutions, including the effective functioning of the Parliament, as well as for the advancement of the country’s European integration,” said a joint statement.
They also urged the Albanian authorities to renew and strengthen efforts on the reform agenda and its implementation, which are essential to achieving the necessary degree of compliance with the Copenhagen criteria, and most especially the outlined twelve key priorities.
“Only upon fulfilling the above will Albania be able to move forward towards the EU, in line with Council conclusions of December 2010,” they said.
The Council said that while the 2011 municipal elections were generally conducted in a transparent and competitive manner, albeit with procedural difficulties, the situation in Tirana was a matter of concern.
“The EU deplores the deterioration of the political situation and increased tensions that followed the elections and conduct of the process,” said a joint statement.
EU ministers added that “it is essential that the election process, including the appeals procedure and the declaration of the final results by the CEC, is completed transparently, independently and in full compliance with the existing legal framework. It is also essential for all parties to recognise the supremacy of the Rule of Law over any other interests. The EU calls on all political leaders to support finalisation of the election process calmly, constructively and with a focus on the European future of the country.”
The EU urged the Albanian government and the opposition, in collaboration with civil society, to agree on a thorough electoral reform, addressing all recommendations by OSCE-ODIHR in 2007, 2009 and 2011 before the next elections.
It also noted the intention of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to ask the Venice Commission for an opinion on how to avoid similar situations in future elections.
European Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule, in an interview with Vienna newspaper Presse said that by the end of this year there is a possibility to start a dialogue with the European Commission for three Western Balkan countries.
When asked if these countries were Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia, Fule responded in affirmativeحeaning that Albania will not be included in this round of negotiations.
The Foreign Minister of Hungary, the country currently holding the rotating EU presidency, issued a critique of the situation in Albania, stressing that it must change.
Fule asked the political parties in Albania to conclude the electoral process in a quiet and constructive way. Fule reminded that the serious political conflicts damage the normal functioning of democracy and further economic progress.
“This can be achieved only if the political parties and the politicians that represent the Albanian citizens find a way to reach dialogue and take the necessary decisions, which will serve the country’s and the citizens’ interests,” said Fule.
Albania’s work for the 12 priorities of the EU has not yet finished, and unfortunately, according to Fule, the electoral battle redirected the energy necessary for achieving this purpose.
“I want to believe that our work has not gone bad, because we feel the need to restart work for the implementation of the reforms if we want Albania to progress in its European integration,” said Fule.
