Arvizu: Vote immunity lifting
14/07/2012 00:00
Linda Rama: Between Family, Work and Albania’s Future 18/08 14:30
The US Ambassador to Tirana, Alexander Arvizu, visited the town of
Gjirokaster, from where he asked the Albanian political class to fulfill
the EU candidate status criteria but not only as facade.
“The USA don’t have a vote for giving Albania the EU candidate status, but we support the goal given by the Albanian leaders for the country becoming part of the EU. As long as these developments are going to that direction, we are supportive for this. But I have always said how admirable it will be for Albania to receive the status. For me is important that these things should not be simply for receiving the candidate status, but because they are important for the development of the country”, Arvizu declared.
“He also commented for the journalists and the recent political developments in the county.
“We have welcomed the electoral reform agreement. This is very important for the country. I am especially happy that the parties have reached an agreement for the Electoral Code. This was very important, because its essence was the CEC, and by seeing the CEC performance in the past, it is clear that it is necessary to have a new mechanism that would return the trust to the Albanians. I am happy that there is a new format for this”, declared the US Ambassador.
As for the initiative taken recently for removing the immunity of officials, Arvizu declared that they are willingly waiting for August sixth, which is the date in which the immunity removal voting will take place.
“I think that there are different drafts circulating. The Democratic Party has prepared a draft, the Socialist Movement for Integration too. Clearly they want to do something for removing immunity and I think that this is vital and very important, because there are good judges and good MPs, but also thieves among them. So, the case of immunities is being abused with in this country, and if people would be serious about improving the rule of law, then there should be an agreement for removing the immunity of officials. The international community wants to help in this direction. We are determined to do this, but the real action will remain with the parties. We are waiting to get something on August 6th, and this is a law that should absolutely pass, otherwise it would be a great disappointment for the US”, Arvizu declared.
The US Ambassador visited Gjirokaster as part of the “Act Now” movement, and he promoted the historical and cultural heritage of the town.
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