U.S. calls on Albanians to vote for their future

TIRANA, Feb. 16 – U.S. Ambassador Marcie B. Ries stated at a ceremony to credential domestic observers that all Albanians should go and vote in Sunday’s local elections which she considered as “milestone in Albania’s democratic development.” “Inevitably, these elections will be seen through the lens of Albania’s EU and NATO aspirations. Free and fair elections that meet international standards will be a signal that Albania is moving closer to these goals. International scrutiny and judgment matters, but it is not what safeguards the electoral process in a democratic society. The integrity of elections in a democracy belongs in the hands of its citizens who offer themselves as candidates; who campaign for candidates and parties; and the citizens who cast votes.”
In a separate statement from Washington it was said that “with Albania’s local election only days away, the U.S. Government wishes to emphasize the importance of free and fair elections for Albania’s democracy, democratic institutions, and progress toward Euro-Atlantic integration. We hope these elections will exceed the standards met in 2005. While the U.S. Government does not support any particular candidate or particular parties in this or any election, we do strongly support efforts toward having free and fair elections.”