President Topi urges political reconciliation

TIRANA, Nov. 9 – President Bamir Topi increased his urging for the country’s political forces to work together on the integration programme toward the European Union.
In many occasions in the activities he took part in the last days, all around the country, Topi said that it has been this “non-cooperative” politics that has hampered the country in its efforts to get integrated into the European Union.
Topi urged the governing Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the main opposition Socialist Party of Edi Rama “to find the language of communication” and work for the country’s interests.
Topi said that EU integration means that everybody will be calmer, more assisted by the governing, and more profit for everyone.
Topi also made it clear during his visit to southern Albania that the Greek minority in Albania is a vital bridge of mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation between the two neighboring countries. Albania has a sizeable immigrant community in neighboring Greece while an ethnic Greek minority lives in Albania.
“We are facing common challenges in terms of culture and tradition within the European community,” said the President.
Topi also assured that “the Greek minority in Albania will find a way to live according to the standards and join the decision making on all projects concerning its communities in the areas where they reside.”
Topi tried to avoid comments about the recent political fight he has had with Parliament Speaker Jozefina Topalli. Last week the parliament rejected Sali Shehu, a former ruling Democratic Party MP who was nominated as the head of the High State Auditing Office by Topi. The Democrats have asked Topi to consult with them before he nominates somebody else. The President rejected the call for consultations as a breach of the independence of the president’s office and an overstepping of the power of parliament.
Albania’s president nominates the head of several high offices and judicial panels, which must receive final approval from the parliament.
In a sign of compromise, on Wednesday Topi nominated as central Bank of Albania governor Ardian Fullani who was included in the bank’s board by the governing Democrats only last week.
Topi has been deputy to Prime Minister Sali Berisha in the Democratic Party until he was elected to his post four years ago. But after that he has had a difficult relationship with Berisha and his former party, who have publicly considered him a “traitor” on many occasions.
Next year Topi completes his presidential term and there have been signs that he is trying to create the necessary base to found a new rightist political grouping. The Democrats in many cases have made it clear that they do not welcome him back in their party. Topi, meanwhile, seems to be trying to create support among the former politically persecuted and old landlords.
It is almost clear that he cannot run for the president’s post again.