EU spokesperson: At this point it is very difficult to see positive signals or developments which could bring the country to the next phase of the membership process
TIRANA TIMES
TIRANA, June 14 – Despite official congratulations by foreign representatives for President-elect Bujar Nishani, there were clear indications the international community was not satisfied with how the presidential election was conducted.
Independent analysts note that by electing a non-consensual candidate, Albania’s political class, particularly those in power, showed Albania’s Euro-Atlantic partners that political power is more important than advancing the country’s EU bid and improving its democratic credentials.
A consensual president was not one of the 12 requirements to get candidate status, but Brussels had made it clear, a consensual president would indicate Albania has the enlightened leadership required for a future EU member. In that aspect, Tirana has utterly failed. Regardless of the fact that Nishani was a non-consensual candidate, the election of the the former interior minister and a moderate member of the Democratic Party leadership was clearly within the bounds of the constitution. And notwithstaning questions on how presidential administration will handle working with Prime Minister Sali Berisha, international community representatives expressed their desire to work with me Nishani.
Immediately after Nishani’s election there were messages of congratulations by the U.S., EU and OSCE ambassadors.
The head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth, was the first congratulate. “The election of Mr. Nishani to be the next President of Albania is good news. We very highly esteem the minister’s determined work for the rule of law in numerous joint projects with the OSCE Presence in Albania. I am confident that his profound knowledge and broad experience will allow him to serve his country in the most constructive way,” said Wollfarth.
Brussels’ top man in Tirana, Ettore Sequi, made a statement with a more cautious tone, reminding the former interior minister of constitutional duties he now faces. “I congratulate Mr. Bujar Nishani on his election as President of the Republic of Albania. I would like to wish Mr. Nishani success as President, an office which represents the unity of the people. The role the President in anchoring Albania’s state institutions in independence and in helping the country unite its efforts will be of crucial importance for Albania to successfully address the challenges it faces on its path towards the European Union.”
U.S. embassy said it was looking forward to working with the new president.
“The United States wishes success to Mr. Nishani and looks forward to working with him to further democratic gains made over the past 21 years. In particular, we will support his efforts to strengthen the rule of law and preserve the independence of Albania’s institutions, and, in tandem with other international partners, to realize the legitimate aspirations of the Albanian people to see their country assume its rightful place as a fully integrated member of the Euro-Atlantic community.”
Observers noted that U.S. Ambassador Alexander Arvizu did not take part at the voting. He had been present in the three previous failed sessions. In fact, he chose to follow a European championship match while the parliament was voting for Nishani, a move independent analysts saw as an expression of displeasure with the process.
Brussels not happy
The EU has called for greater democratic maturity in Albania before it accepts its application to join the bloc, having rejected it twice in the past two years.
There was negative reaction from Brussels the day after the election, hinting Tirana has slid further backwards in its bid for EU membership after the recent presidential elections.
”At this point it is very difficult to see positive signals or developments which could bring the country to the next phase of the membership process,” said Peter Stano, the spokesman for EU Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Fuele, in response to journalists’ questions.
After Nishani’s election as president with only the votes of the governing majority, the possibility that Albania will be able to get official status of an EU member state candidate in the fall has become more remote.
In the fall, the European Commission publishes its annual report on the progress of countries which are candidates or potential candidates for EU enlargement, and recommends to leaders which countries have met the conditions required to move on to the next phase in the adhesion process. For the time being Tirana is still on the starting blocks: any step forward, Brussels continues to reiterate, depends first and foremost on political dialogue and the other priorities indicated some time ago and included in a national action plan.
”The European Commission,” the spokesman reiterated, ”has drawn up the twelve priorities for Albania’s integration, and will be communicating its assessment in the autumn.”
Eduard Kukan of the European Parliament was harsher, saying that Albania lost again another opportunity to convince Europe for its integration efforts.
Government and opposition leaders have traded accusations of sabotage throughout the election process, with each accusing the other of harming the country’s EU membership bid, which Brussels will review again in October.
The EU has called for greater democratic maturity in Albania. The EU and Albania concluded a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), seen as the first step towards membership, in June 2006.
Since 2009, Albania has applied for candidate status but has received a negative response in the two previous years.
It’s next hope is to get the status this fall.
