TIRANA TIMES
TIRANA, June 28 – The chairman of the European People’s Party group in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul, held a visit to Tirana last week and met with Democratic Party counterparts, which belong to the same political group in Europe.
But Daul is also one of the two politicians נthe other is that of the Socialist International Movement, Martin Schulz נthat initiated mediation with the Albanian politics to give an end to the deadlock that is hampering the country’s progress towards integration.
Daul reminded politicians in Tirana that reforms must continue.
Daul said that the EP helped end a parliamentary boycott by the opposition Socialist Party, but cannot dictate legislation.
“Albania needs a democracy that works and therefore an efficient government and opposition. However, the current opposition, with its obstructive attitude, is not taking its responsibilities seriously and is not contributing to the political and legislative work which is necessary,” Daul said.
Berisha confirmed that all opposition requests will be taken into consideration, as parliament needs all lawmakers to pass EU-related legislation.
But Edi Rama of the opposition Socialists tried to be diplomatically impartial only saying that Daul had come to do his political service, not in a bad connotation, and meet with his counterparts.
The two Albanian political parties have been involved in a fight over the transparency of the last year’s parliamentary elections.
The opposition claim vote count manipulation by the Democrats and want partial recount, which is turned down by the Democrats as running contrary to the laws.
