International community concerned on Albania’s local polls

TIRANA, Jan. – The international community representatives in Albania issued Thrusday evening a joint statement on their concern for the political deadlock on the local elections. “We are deeply concerned by the lack of progress in preparations of the Albanian local government elections decreed by the President for 20 January 2007. We understand that, given the short time remaining until that date, both the Government and the Opposition have identified an alternative date for the elections within the mandate of the current local government. We note that decisions to implement the understandings and agreements reached thus far, including the one of the 30 December 2006, however, have not been taken by Albania’s political leadership. We urge the Albanian political representation to resolve all outstanding issues, including the one of birth certificates, thus also delivering in good faith on the Agreement of the 30 December 2006 concluded and signed by the two major political parties. We expect the Albanian Ruling Majority and the Opposition to enact all necessary legislative changes without further delay, to engage immediately in constructive preparation for and to participate fully in the local government elections.”
President Alfred Moisiu has set Jan. 20 for the local polls but it has been generally agreed, though not yet formally, from both sides that they should be postponed to Feb. 18.
“Co-operation of all Albanian actors is essential for the success of the elections. The failure of one side to contribute to consensus and act in good faith must not penalize the whole country which needs to have local government elections that meet international standards. We note that the OSCE/ODIHR continues to observe and will report on the election process, drawing upon international observers provided by the OSCE participating States and that the OSCE Presence in Albania remains ready to further technically assist in election preparations and electoral reform in Albania.”