Tirana Times
TIRANA, March 2 – Brussels believes that Albania’s May 8 local elections are the target the country should keep in its efforts of trying to achieve European standards. The local polls are considered as very important and a test also set at last year’s annual progress report.
Albania has applied for the candidate status, but last year Brussels said that the country should first comply with or work for some 12 issues.
The European Union presidency is telling Tirana they will keep a close eye on May’s elections. That was made clear from Nicholas Chountis, the European parliamentarian in charge of monitoring the country, and also from Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi, whose country chairs the EU presidency.
They also said that they were open to sending more observers during the polls.
Miroslav Lajcak,EUenvoy for the political crisis in Albania, is said that he intends to call on the politicians in Tirana to invite EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fueleto help resolve longstanding differences.
Lajcak is urging both Prime MinisterSali Berishaand opposition leaderEdi Ramato involve Fuele in ending the stalemate.
At a recent session on Albania at the The opposition accuses Berisha of turning a peaceful protest into a bloodbath and attacking any institution that does not agree with his version of the facts.
The recent tension between Rama’s Socialists and the ruling majority of Prime Minister Berisha has aggravated an already poisoned political climate, which has been in a troubled state since the disputed June 2009 parliamentary elections.
US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg visited Tirana last week (Friday) to meet with President Bamir Topi, Prime Minister Sali Berisha and also opposition Socialist leader Edi Rama. He strongly underlined the need for politicians to respect the constitution and rule of law, as prosecutors lead an investigation into the January 21 events.
Steinberg is the highest US official to visit Albania since the 2007 visit of former president George W. Bush, which was widely perceived as support for the Berisha government’s pro-American foreign policy, particularly regarding US efforts in Afghanistan and the resettling of former Guantanamo prisoners. Steinberg also reminded Albania that as a NATO member they have to behave as such.
He said how saddened they were by the loss of four lives on January 21st. “It is important for all concerned, and not just the families, but all people of Albania, that there be a comprehensive, independent investigation that establishes the facts and the appropriate accountability for the events. “Steinberg reassured Albania that the United States is committed to provide appropriate technical support.
In mid-March both countries will mark the 20th anniversary of re-establishing diplomatic ties after the fall of communism, “20 years of the strong partnership between the United States and democratic Albania.”
“It is critically important at this time that you take the steps that are necessary to preserve and protect the constitution, to sustain the democratic process, and the democratic elections that distinguish democracies from other forms of government,” he said.
Steinberg said that government officials and party leaders focus on the positive work ahead in building a future for the people of Albania.
He urged political parties and Albanians on the respect for the constitution and the rule of law, open and transparent elections that allow for the people to express their will in terms of the choices that they have in front of them, a commitment to civilized discourse that recognizes that while there are differences of opinions, and a strong a commitment to make sure there is fairness in all the processes, including dealing with the very severe and important challenges of corruption that so many new democracies face.
Steinberg only said that he had asked all Albanian leaders he had met with “respect for the rule of law and the constitution; respect for the independent institutions that exist under your constitution, respect for the electoral processes that are established by your constitution, participation in the electoral processes, and equally important to all these legal provisions, a civilized debate about the future of the country. ”
But he did not mention his opinion whether he expected those he met would really abide by these principles.
That is a question and answer that a diplomat would hardly give, though the Albanian people, who look so much toward Washington, would really love to have in plain simple words.
