AIIS: Elections drew Albania closer to the EU

TIRANA, Aug. 5 – The positive implementation of the recent electoral process has drawn Albania closer to the European Union, according to the Albanian Institute for International Studies, one of the country’s leading think tanks.
AIIS experts believe the general elections process, which is now officially over, is expected to positively affect Albania’s relations with the European Union, obtaining the candidate status and move forward Albania’s integration process.
Albert Rakipi, the institute’s executive director, said in an interview with American broadcaster VOA that the election, which went smoothly with both sides recognizing the results and which led to a transition of power, ended many problems related to European Union integration and, more importantly, ended a long period of problematic and contested elections.
Recognition of the election results and holding a fully legitimate electoral process are clearly indicators Albania met its EU-mandated homework, according to Rakipi.
He added that the election marked a first step in a greater engagement on Albania’s road toward European Union, a start of a deep reflection on what the Albanian society and authorities can do better to bring Albania up to European standards.
Rakipi said in the VOA interview that economic difficulties will dominate the work of the new government, along with challenges dealing with law enforcement, building a professional administration as well as better educational and health services.
In order to contribute to the public debate on the challenges Albania’s European, AIIS has also started to publish a high brow magazine called Europa, which aims to promote a comprehensive debate on the issues of European integration of the country.
AIIS says it believes that Europa magazine will help generate a critical approach on the European integration process, concepts and ideas on ways Albania can reach membership in the European Union.