Wednesday on October 10th, the European Commission is expected to
publish the progress-report for Albania. Top Channel was able to secure
the document’s draft that is characterized by overall positive tones, as
regards the political dialogue and the passing of some main reforms.
The report doesn’t leave aside the underlining of challenges that the country is facing, such as the judiciary, corruption, the public administration, the properties and independence of institutions. As for the next elections, they are considered as an important test.
One week before its publishment, Top Channel secured the draft-document of the Commission: the annual summary of the progress reports that are planned for the EU member countries under the title “The Enlargement Strategy”.
“The political agreement of November 2011 between ruling majority and opposition marked the end of a long period of political stalemate, stemming from the parliamentary elections. This agreement set out to address electoral and parliamentary reform and to crate the political climate for joint reform efforts in other areas. As a result, political dialogue and cooperation has improved considerably, allowing for progress in core reform areas. The Presidential elections were conducted in line with the constitution, but the political process surrounding the elections did not contribute to the positive cross-party dialogue launched in November. Despite short episodes of confrontational rhetoric between the government on one hand and the opposition and other state institutions on the other and a temporary slow-down in reforms, the political agreement has been fully implemented”, the document states.
“The Enlargement Strategy” is still a draft document and the formulations are not final. In the summary for Albania’s progress report there are some reforms are expected to be confirmed, before they are included or not in the official evaluation of October 10th.
The Commission underlined the need of implementing the reforms such as the Electoral Code. The Commission says that the elections of 2013 take a special importance while they ask an acceleration of the war against corruption, institutional independence and the need for a judiciary reform.
“Albania has made good progress towards fulfilling the political criteria for membership of he EU, delivering a number of reforms against the key priorities of the Commission’s 2011 opinion. Overall, Albania has continued to implement the Stabilisation and Association Agreement smoothly and to play a constructive role in the region. Cross-party dialogue allowed good progress to be achieved in key political reform areas such as the adoption of electoral and parliamentary reforms, (tbc) as well as the adoption of pending laws requiring a reinforced majority, the appointment of the Ombudsman and the hearing and voting process in Parliament for high court appointments, leading to the fulfillment of the relevant key priorities. Good coordination of the EU integration progress by government and effective cooperation by the opposition allowed some progress on implementing the justice reform, by reforming the immunity system of public officials and judges, and introducing reforms in the High Court (tbc). Progress was also achieved in fighting organized crime and discrimination policies, improvement of the treatment of detainees as well as prosperity reform and women’s rights”, the document continues.
The draft document doesn’t have any formulation about the Commission’s final recommendation for Albania’s EU candidate status.
Prepared by: ERNEST BUNGURI
Top Channel
