European Parliament, scanning elections

07/05/2011 15:10

Local elections will be observed by the international community,
especially by the European Parliament that has brought in Tirana an
observing delegation.

Eduard Kukan, EU special envoy for Albania arrived in Tirana and attended several meetings.

During an interview for Top-Channel, Mr. Kukan spoke on the purpose of his visit.

“The European Parliament decided to bring an ad-hoc observing mission for the Local Elections in Tirana. This must be seen as a sign that shows the European Parliament interest for your country. This mission will serve to take as much information possible from many sources, the government, the opposition, media and non-governmental organizations. By these meetings we will collect as much information possible, that will be transmitted to the European Parliament”, Kukan declared.

TCH – Based on the information that you have collected up to now, do you believe that these elections have had the necessary preparations for a free and honest process?

“We all expect to have free and honest elections. Up to now, we have held three meetings and we hope that these elections are well organized. The right answer will be given this Sunday”, Kukan said.

TCH – If these elections will not fulfill the standards required by the international community, will there be sanctions from the European Union for Albania?

“I don’t want to speculate on what might happen. Let us wait for the result”, Kukan said.

The importance of these elections has brought in Tirana the general director of ODIHR, Janez Lenarcic. There will be 596 international observers from 30 different countries, the observations of whom will be performed in terrain and will be the base of the OSCE and ODIHR final report.

Together will them there will be 2200 local observers. OSCE/ODIHR will give an evaluation this Tuesday through a press conference expected to be held by the head of the observing mission, the American Jonathan Stonestreet.

Top Channel