Maltese helps broker Albania electoral deal

TIRANA, Jan. 15 – A Maltese was a key player in resolving the political deadlock in Albania, according to the Timesofmalta.com. It said that the deal in Albania was reached following intense diplomatic intervention by a Council of Europe (CoE) delegation led by Ian Micallef, president of the Chamber of Local Authorities of the Council of Europe, from Malta. In separate meetings with Berisha and Rama, Micallef warned both sides of the consequences to the country’s future membership of the European Union and its relations with the Council of Europe if an agreement on the holding of local elections was not reached. In Tirana, Micallef also addressed EU ambassadors accredited to Albania on the issue and kept them informed on the negotiations held between his delegation and the parties involved. Speaking to The Times, Dr Micallef hailed the deal. “It wasn’t an easy task as we had to deal with all 12 government and opposition parties involved. We worked hard and round the clock and finally managed to convince everyone that this was the right democratic way forward.”