Opposition offers ‘d굥nte’ on major reforms

TIRANA, Jan. 8 – Main opposition Socialist Party leader Edi Rama expressed his party’s willingness to cooperate with the governing Democratic Party-led coalition in implementing all required and necessary reforms on the eve of “the historic Summit of Bucharest on April 08”, where Albania hopes to be officially invited to join NATO.
The Socialists presented to the Parliament a draft-resolution reflecting their commitment to fulfill the obligations stemming from the process of NATO integration.
They said the country’s politics should overcome the “constant political conflict,” and reaffirming their willingness “to establish an environment of cooperation and trust with all political forces.”
The Socialists urged “the approval of [this SP initiative] by all parliamentarian political forces as an act of consciousness and willingness to carry out, through parliamentary actions, the common commitments for Albania’s future NATO membership”, thus, opening a new chapter in the history of Albania.
Rama also hailed accomplishments of the Armed Forces and expressed his party’s solidarity with the military personnel in fulfilling the demands of the NATO integration process.
Rama hoped that any initiative that would speed up Albania’s integration into NATO structures would be welcome, while affirming Albania’s “unfaltering attitude in seeking to establish peace, security, stability, understanding and cooperation in the region”, as well as its support for an independent Kosova through a harmonious process between its legitimate institutions and the international actors.
Parliament Speaker Jozefina Topalli immediately responded by supporting the Socialist’s initiative.
Topalli said she was willing to call on Parliament’s Executive Council to approve Parliament’s agenda and an earlier starting date for the Parliamentary Commission on Laws so that work on imperative initiatives, such as justice and electoral reform, can begin immediately.
Topalli also said she would convene the first parliamentary session earlier than the planned January 21 so that political leaders have time to prepare their declarations for the acceleration of reforms.
The draft resolution expressed a bipartisan determination to join the Euro-Atlantic family where Albanians see their future.
It also stresses that political parties are aware of the commitment from the parliamentary political forces and the need for concrete and practical results in human and democratic rights in the country.
The draft resolution stresses the need for deepening and speeding up reforms, starting with electoral changes followed by those in the judiciary.
The draft resolution stresses the need for a climate of trust and cooperation among the parliamentary political forces on all the reforms and initiative.