“12 criteria cannot be concluded by September”

The Albanian Minister of Integration, Majlinda Bregu, in her behind-closed-doors report to the Working Group for Balkan at the European Parliament – where there were also representatives from EU member countries – emphasized as an achievement the fact that the electoral reform is continuing; the organization of a seminar against corruption and for the removal of immunity to high rank officials.

“The 12 priorities will not be concluded even by September. The human rights case, war against corruption or war against organized crime are not something that concludes with the Candidate Status. But the electoral reform, which has a given deadline and a proved political will, is considered as a fact and as the main issue of the political criteria, by not leaving other important matters aside. By the end of the week, at the Council of Europe, there will be a seminar against corruption”, Bregu declared.

The Parliamentary voting procedure for the new High Council of Justice member was considered by the opposition as an anti-constitutional action that coincides with some criteria that need to be fulfilled, such as political dialogue, the functionality of the Parliament and the de-politicization in the appointing of judges.

Asked by Top Channel how much this event had damaged the dialogue, and if this was reported as a progress of this month, the Integration Minister declared:

“The Parliamentary political forces are there to agree on major issues, and to share their differences with each other, without blocking the major interests of the country and without violating the Constitution and laws. I vote for any of the 12 recommendations, for every case that is part of the Parliament regulation functionality for which the secret electronic voting or the ballot box voting, which is now a 20 year old tradition, is an undeniable element for each of the parties.”

According to Bregu, Albania’s role in the region, the many-year work of the administration and the fulfillment of the political reforms have regained the credibility of the European institutions to Albania.

“This must be the year of Albania. This is the 100th anniversary of Albania’s independence, the biggest event for Albanians, wherever they are, regardless their political belief, regardless for whom they vote. This is the year that must make all Albanians smile. If the EU candidate status was not granted to Albania for two consequent years, it is because we have damaged ourselves with a non-existent and absurd political war, and I believe that this atmosphere has changed this year. It must be an atmosphere that brings joy to everyone, to us first, and the credibility of the European structures on Albania”, Bregu declared.

Prepared by: Arta TOZAJ, Brussels

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