Germany tells opposition to cooperate with the new government

TIRANA, Aug 10 – German ambassador to Tirana Bernd Bochardt appealed to the Albanian opposition to cooperate with the new government in the country’s efforts o integrate into the European Union.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle radio station Bochardt said the June 28 parliamentary election were a step ahead in the country’s progress to democracy. He criticized however some shortcomings like the use of pressure on administration officials or students, abuse with public funding, or the vote counting process. Firing public officials for political affiliation was another shortcoming, according to the ambassador.
Bochardt said that many reforms needed along the country’s road toward EU integration ask for many votes in the parliament, which the governing coalition does not fill without the opposition.. He urged the opposition to join such a trend saying that the electorate would not be interested in slowing down the integration process for the country.
“I am convinced that the government and the opposition may find a compromise solution for many of the packages of reforms required,” he said.
For the visa liberalization Bochardt said that more steps, reforms are needed in the security of the documents, the fight against illegal immigration, public order, organized crime, human trafficking, money laundry, foreign relations and human rights.
He was hopeful that Albania would achieve such standards soon and convince the EU member countries of them, which means a visa free regime then on. Germany would continue its assistance to the country in that field, the ambassador said. About half a million euro will be given to Albania to improve border management, stop illegal traffic and organized crime and so on. That is part of a regional project.
Germany has decided to double the aid to Albania to 100 million euro for the next two years, he said. That aims at integrating the country into the EU and would focus on projects in energy, water infrastructure and so on.