International community concerned about upcoming June elections

TIRANA, Feb. 5 – Representatives of the European Union, the OSCE and other international organizations have recently showed renewed focus on the preparations for the June 23 parliamentary elections in Albania.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule said holding free and fair, democratic elections in Albania was his main focus during his visit to Tirana on Monday. Europe has made it clear that holding elections in line with the democratic standards will be key to the country’s further progress into the membership into the union.
Representatives of the international community in Tirana also met this week under the auspices of the OSCE Presence in Albania to exchange information and coordinate positions in view of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
The chair and deputy chair of the Central Election Commission took part in the meeting of the International Elections Working Group, to provide an update on the recent activities of the election-administration body. Participants expressed continued support to the CEC for impartial implementation of the electoral framework.
“It is critically important to maintain a collaborative atmosphere within the Central Election Commission, with the active and constructive participation of all members,” said OSCE Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth said. “The election administration’s task is to implement the relevant legislation and procedures in a timely, impartial manner, to ensure that voters have the chance to freely and fairly express their will on election day. Actions and statements that could lead to the politicization of the work of the election administration are counter-productive, and should be avoided. All sides must demonstrate the necessary political will for these upcoming elections.”
The International Elections Working Group is a forum of the diplomatic representatives of the OSCE participating states and other international organizations in Albania that meets on a periodic basis ahead of elections to exchange information and coordinate positions.
One of the main purposes of the Working Group is to co-ordinate election-related projects within the international community to avoid duplication and maximize their efficiency.