EU, U.S. congratulate Albanians on a successful election

TIRANA, June 26 – Immediately after Prime Minister Sali Berisha conceded defeat at his party headquarters, the U.S. Embassy in Tirana and Peter Stano, the spokesman of the EU’s Enlargement Commissioner, issued statements to hail it, urge election authorities to quickly give an end to the process and for political leaders to start working for the next steps toward European integration.
The U.S. Embassy congratulated Albanians, who turned out in large numbers in national elections “to reaffirm their commitment to Albania’s democratic future.”
Washington also encouraged the electoral institutions “to quickly certify the results and to confirm the will of the Albanian people.”
The United States also denounced the violence and also the coercion and intimidation during the campaign and the voting day.
They urged Albanian leaders and officials, new ones after the creation of the new government, “to rededicate themselves to the European integration process and other needed reforms.”
Washington did not forget to “thank outgoing Prime Minister Sali Berisha and appreciate his consistent support for strong relations between the United States and Albania.”
Stano, spokesman of Commissioner Stefan Fule, welcomed “the inclusion of European integration at the top of the coalition parties’ programs.”
“We trust that the incoming government will vigorously pursue the country’s reform agenda in an inclusive manner in order to give the European integration process renewed momentum,” he said.
Stano also evaluated Tirana’s work, Berisha’s one during the last eight years, “a period of important reforms and economic growth. Albania achieved steady progress on the path of European integration. Visa liberalization as well as the European Commission recommendation for candidate status bear testimony to this.”
He added turning to the new leaders, “Now more than ever cross-party cooperation is needed to ensure a smooth transition to the incoming government. Prime Minister Berisha’s announcement is an important step towards this goal. There are many challenges ahead which will demand immediate attention. This is therefore a time for Albanians to look confidently, together, into their European future. ”