TIRANA, Feb. 28 – The European Parliament delegation that visited Albania has refused for this EU institution to take over a negotiator’s role in resolving the political crisis that has taken over the country after the opposition gave up its political mandates.
At a press conference that took place after meetings the delegation conducted with Albanian officials, MEPs said this is an internal problem Albania is facing and for this reason all political actors should raise above their party’s interest to solve it.
“Don’t transfer this problem for us to solve, it should be solved by the country’s majority and minority. Now this is your job, it is your internal problem to find a common language and raise above party interests. Over 90 percent of Albanians want to become part of the EU and this is a very important message,” EP representatives said.
As for the opposition’s demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the creation of a caretaker government, the MEPs voiced their opposition and stressed that the 2017 elections were considered legal and this cannot be changed a year and a half later.
The head of this delegation, Tunne Kelam, said that in the beginning that they had come to Tirana in a hopeful mood, although they seemed to be leaving disappointed, due to the profound divisions and opposing strategies between the opposition and the government.
“We want Albania to officially open membership negotiations in June, and we do not want to cause further delays due to national disagreements. Albania has made significant progress in many areas, has made great steps forward in the justice reform. The party divisions on the issue of integration need to be overcome and the boycott of the Parliament itself is a very bad signal. You can not find a pretense to delay the opening of negotiations. We are also opposed to violent protests, it is not a democratic way of solving problems. Albania needs more space for civil society, which should have more access to institutions. Meanwhile, the voice of the youth should be heard by the government for the Reform in Higher Education,” said Kelam.
MEP Knut Fleckenstein, meanwhile, did not change his harsh stand towards the opposition, which he also voiced during an earlier meeting with Parliament Speaker Gramoz Ruci.
“On June 19, the Council will make a decision on Albania, as the reform process is continuing and the vetting as well. We call on the Council to focus on these facts, in order for the negotiation to open in June. Regarding your internal problems, we have no doubt that this parliament will continue its journey. I am particularly disappointed by the chairman of SMI, Monika Kryemadhi, who told us that the opposition has made its decision and there is no turning back. We expect MPs to do their job and return to Parliament. Even if the opposition is right in its accusations, the boycott does not solve anything,” said Fleckenstein.
However, asked about the prosecution’s interceptions of criminal gangs and their ballot buying in favor of the socialist candidates, MEPs did not offer a long comment, but rather said “when (tapping) is tried by the court, things should continue as they are.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted through a tweet right after the MEPs press conference.
“No joy towards the united, harsh stand of the opposition against the parliamentary opposition collective runaway from duty and from the field of democratic logic,” Rama tweeted.
