EU-Albania, no common declaration… again

“Unfortunately, local elections deteriorated the political climate and we were unable to overcome it. EU membership, without these conditions, predicts problems. Conditions without membership predict treason.
We remain committed to put Albania’s interest and future above politics, and we believe that the 12 key priorities, considering the new reality of the country, are essential for Albania’s progress”, said Socialist Deputy Ditmir Bushati.

Democratic Party Deputy Albana Vokshi said:
“First of all, I would like to see if Mr. Fule was aware of the recent open letter that Mr. Rama addressed to the people, and the threats he has made to the judges. Have they taken ethics in consideration? I would also like to ask him if he is aware of another declaration that Rama made one hour ago, saying that not only he doesn’t accept the ruling of the highest institution, the Electoral College’s decision, but he emphasized that the Socialist Party is determined to follow their plan until the end, which is to overthrow the government.
My last question is that if a person would make such declarations in your countries, what would your reaction be towards these declarations?
In my behalf and that of all colleagues, allow me to greet the decision of the Electoral College, which was in the same line with article 48 of the Constitution, an article that guarantees free and equal votes for any citizen”.

EU Parliament Member Doris Pack declared:

“You are Parliament Members. What you are saying here, you must say in your Parliament. There are many things that can be done in the Parliament, where a majority is needed. There are things that cannot be done without you. We are not your teachers. You must do what you have been elected for, in the Parliament. You have not been elected in local levels. You are not mayors. You have been elected for the Parliament, and there is where you must do what is planned”.

Albanian Integration Minister, Majlinda Bregu, declared that everyone followed attentively the Local Elections and the action plan for 12 key priorities.

“Before welcoming the message sent to Prime Minister Berisha by General Secretary Jagland, I invite all political parties to dialogue, to improve the legal base for the next elections, with the help of the European Commission, by reconfirming the will of the Albanian majority to dialogue with the opposition, for making in time the changes that were recommended by OSCE-ODIHR and by the evaluations of the Commission”, said Minister Bregu.

Socialist Party Deputy Taulant Balla declared:

“As a Parliament Member, the problem that I want to raise, is if the law is equal for everyone. The Election Code in Albania is read in two contradictory ways, by the same institution. In 2009, CEC and the Electoral College read the same Election Code differently. Now they are reading it differently. The job that the Albanians pay me for, is worthless if the laws that we approve do not function for what they are approved. This is the problem that we are discussing.
Albania is facing today a deeper crisis than before the local elections. Is there any solution? The Minister of Integration gave a quick response to the letter of Mr. Jagland, saying that ‘we can cooperate with the Commission of Venice, but in the next elections’. No, the crisis is now”.

Later was the declaration of EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule.
“First, I want to answer to Mrs. Vokshi. No, no, and I don’t know. I
answered to your questions. Secondly, Albania is the only country where I
have requested, as a Commissioner, for the opposition to be asked about
the action plan. And I am concerned. I am concerned. We are talking
about the credibility of the process”, Fule declared.

“If this would be my Plan B, I don’t have a Plan C. If you have a Plan
D, it is up to you. The European integration, to which you belong, is
right here. Thirdly, I wanted to read the report of ODIHR for the
elections of 2007. It is very important. Let me quote it: “Ballot papers
had almost similar colors. This caused confusion and many ballots were
cast in the wrong boxes, which make them invalid”, Fule declared.

“I also have the intermediate report, which says that the legal logic of
the Central Election Commission was unclear. If you ask me why there is
such a coincidence, I cannot say anything. But I can say that I have
had phone calls with all parties, Mr. Sali Berisha and other political
leaders. Regarding the government, I spoke with Mr. Berisha and said to
him “Make possible that May 8th elections be a generator of the
integration”. I told that to both parties, that these elections were
very important to soften the climate. Thank you, I report in October”,
Fule declared.

“Is that what you want, the Albanian government and the opposition? If
yes, continue this way. If not, you can help with some indications,
consensus or something that builds a bridge between you. The next door
remains open. For us it is OK. It is not me who wants to become an EU
member. I am only the one that makes the credibility of a mandate to
function, and I will not cross that line. I am sorry guys, because there
really are the opportunities”, the Commissioner added.

The European Commission reports on October 12th on Albania’s annual progress.

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