TIRANA, June 30 – Prominent German MP Gunther Krichbaum called on Albanian leaders Thursday to approve in consensus the judicial reform package which is fundamental to ensure that the European Union will launch membership negotiations with the country. He reminded Albanian political leaders that EU’s patience will not last forever.
During a visit to the capital, Tirana, Krichbaum said that passage of the legislation must be the most important priority for the country and underlined that Albania must bring into force the laws and regulations of the package than have its politicians talk about them in principle. “The justice reform is the country’s most important priority. We are very interested in seeing Albania enforce its legislation. The implementation of laws is crucial for investors to come to Albania. The European Union and Germany have provided support to Albania,” he said.
Krichbaum said that July 21st is a decisive moment for justice reform. He explained that the draft package is ready and urged the ruling majority and opposition to reach a compromise. “If there is no compromise, the reform will not be productive. A reform without compromise does not produce an independent judiciary. And a country with no judiciary does not belong to the European Union,” said Krichbaum.
“The reform guarantees independent judiciaries. Parties must be aware that our patience will not last forever. We supported you and that is why you were granted EU candidate status. If you do not want the reform, we will take the status back,” he added.
