Belgian ambassador urges fast solution for political deadlock

TIRANA, July 13 – Sofia-based Belgian Ambassador to Albania Marc Michielsen on Monday urged local politicians to overcome the longstanding stalemate before November, when the EU is expected to publish its annual progress report on Albania.
Belgium has assumed the EU’s rotating presidency on July 1st.
“We have expressed our concern about the political situation in Albania, as well as the failure to resolve issues left from last year’s elections … I call on politicians to look into these issues in a transparent and constitutional way. The majority and the opposition should work together to get out of this situation,” Michielsen said during a press conference, where he presented the priorities of Belgium’s EU presidency.
The Belgian ambassador said that his country would continue to make the EU integration of the Western Balkans a top priority.
He stressed the priorities of EU Belgian Presidency, pointing to cooperation in important and priority fields regarding economic situation, facing global crisis consequences, policy of Belgian Presidency for social dimension, poverty and unemployment, policies in the field of ecology and environment protection fight against crime and other risks, and among most important priorities was the continuation of EU enlargement, in particular with Southeast Europe countries.
Before that he had also met with all top officials in the country, including the opposition leader.
The ambassador introduced priorities of the Belgian government in issues of foreign policy and integration, during EU Belgian Presidency.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha thanked him for the help and support that Belgium has provided to Albania in the course of these years, especially for EU integration.
Ambassador Michielsen confirmed the commitment of Belgian government to support Albania in its effort for a quick EU integration and also assured Berisha of the commitment of EU Presidency for continuation at quick pace of EU enlargement in entire Southeast Europe region, in line with specifics of each country.
Berisha reconfirmed the determination and commitment of Albanian government to realize every reform regarding this project and its processes to enable Albania to quickly move ahead in realization of Albanians’ dream for integration in European family.
Berisha said that the Albanian government considered this process, based on individual performance, as the best platform for standards and future of the Albanian citizens.
Michielsen also informed Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ilir Meta that the Belgium Presidency, which operates on the basis already established by the Lisbon Treaty, fully supports the EU enlargement, in accordance with the respective progress of Western Balkan countries and remains committed to promote their European perspective.