TIRANA, April 12 – EU’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, and Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn issued a joint statement Wednesday calling on Albania’s opposition parties to end parliamentary boycott and become part of the implementation of judiciary reform.
“We regret the parliamentary boycott in Albania and that the opposition has not yet registered to participate in the elections. We once again urge all political leaders to act responsibly, with respect for institutions, and pave the way for democratic elections, in line with international standards,” the statement read.
Mogherini and Hahn recalled that justice reform is key to the country’s integration efforts with the 28-nation bloc.
“The much needed justice reform in Albania has once again come under attack. We call on all parties to complete the formation of the vetting institutions. Attacking the judicial reform rather than ensuring implementation of vetting, with close monitoring of the International Monitoring Operation, harms Albania’s present and future,” they added.
High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn said that European Union expects lawmakers in Albania to show responsibility and that they stand by the people of Albania, who continue to demand that “the vetting is launched and the judiciary eventually reformed, also as a crucial step for the country to join the European Union.”
The opposition’s parliamentary boycott has hampered the implementation of the justice reform. The opposition parties have voiced concern over the vetting bodies which will evaluate the personal and professional backgrounds of judges and prosecutors, saying they are subject to manipulation.
On Tuesday, parliament convened on an extraordinary session and adopted a draft-decision to establish the ad-hoc committee that will assess the recommended candidates for the bodies that will vet hundreds of judges and prosecutors.
Lawmakers voted to name Socialist Party MPs Ulsi Manja, Vasilika Hysi, and Socialist Movement for Integration MP Luan Rama, as members of the parliamentary ad hoc committee. MPs also rejected the candidacy of Shpetim Idrizi, chairman of the Party for Justice Integration and Unity (PJIU).
