OSCE ambassador diplomatic on recent ‘clash’ with Albania

GJIROKASTRA, Aug 10 – Robert Bosch, Ambassador of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said Tirana should clarify whether they want the organization to remain in the country and, then, it is up to the agency’s top authorities to decide on that.
Bosch was reacting to the recent request from Tirana that the OSCE should limit its activities in Albania to only providing assistance for electoral and judicial reforms, and ending involvement in other projects.
Finland’s foreign minister, serving as chairman-in-office replied, saying they would like to continue assistance but it was up to Albania to decide if they wanted such assistance.
That was considered to be a clear statement that the organization should remain in the country, which remains fragile as a post-communist democracy. The need for election monitoring is great and, considering that the country will have parliamentary elections next year, the OSCE’s ODIHR office specializes in assisting and monitoring elections.
The OSCE is made up of all the European countries along with the United States and Canada. Ambassador Bosch also said that he was of the opinion the institution should stay in the country to further assist its developing democratic processes. (Tirana Times Staff)