EC warns failure

In the preparatory meeting about the fifth European Parliament Stabilization Association Committee meeting with Albania,  Vassilis Maragos, the chief of the Unit for Albania clarified that the fulfillment of the November political agreement, the election of the president and the fulfillment of some concrete goals in some areas were the conditions presented to the Albanian authorities as a minimal package of conditions for the status.

“These were the three main issues which Albania should fulfill in order to move into the next stage of the European path. Where do we stand now? The presidential election I think we all in this room have followed very closely, indeed, as I think it was mentioned by several high officials of the EU. The Constitution has been respected, in accordance to this election, however there have been some concerns as regards the impact these elections have had or that may have on the political dialogue in the country. This is something we believe the Albanian political factor needs to focus upon, in order to make sure that the political dialogue is indeed preserved. The key and foremost condition that would affect also the political dialogue, but also the remaining part of the reforms, is the completion of the November agreement. The two main issues have been referred to by the ambassador. I believe and I think that this opinions is shared by also all the member states, that this is the minimum that Albania needs to do in the next few weeks, in order to preserve both political dialogue, but also to create conditions for the remaining reforms. The Commission member states are ready to support, and of course, the European Parliament, with which we are working very closely together to support this process, but it is important that the Albanian political actors, both government and the opposition, from both their respective positions. We do not assimilate the responsibility of the two sides, but they both have an interest and responsibility to work together, in order to complete these pending issues. This is absolutely necessary and essential in order for Albania to move forward”, Maragos declared.

Maragos mentioned the election of the Ombudsman as a positive example and the voting of the qualified majority laws, while he asked the cooperation of the parties for the immunity issue and the legal amends for the judicial trial and the civil service.

“We have had the appointment of the Ombudsman through consensual procedures, and this is one of the most positive developments, I would say, since last year in Albania. The way it was done, the inclusive process, the person of the Ombudsman and also the work that has been done since the Ombudsman was in the office. We have seen the Parliament in the last few months functioning well, I would say, normally. The Socialist Party has returned since last September to the plenary and commission sessions, and that was a very positive development and it has continued to cooperate. We have heard the voting of the pending laws requiring 3/5th majority, so, that is another priority fulfilled”, he declard.

The Parliamentary Committee is held on 11 and 12 July, in Brussels, a date that coincides with the end of the electoral reform deadline.

“We have information that there will be a full delegation coming from Albania, of 13 MPs. 13 is a number that brings bad luck, but nobody is superstitious here. There will be a full representation from both sides and hopefully it will be a normal meeting. I believe that the situation is improving now. So we shall have a standard meeting. If I say standard it means that it will be public, it last for two days , it will not be shortened, and the adoption of the joint recommendations will be included in the agenda of the meeting. That’s a normal meeting”, Kukan declared.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj

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