EU Presidency: “Judiciary reform and elections would start EU negotiations in September”
01/03/2017 00:00
The Washington Agreement Must Be Reactivated! 06/01 19:04
The EU accession negotiations for Albania may open in September, but only if there is progress with the judiciary reform.
The Maltese EU Presidency declared through their Ambassador Godwin C. Pulis that there are concerns about the situation created after the opposition’s protest. They said the Parliament must turn to normality until elections, to work for credible elections.
Top Channel: When could the EU accession negotiations start for Albania?
Godwin C. Pulis: If Albania fulfills the criteria, if the judiciary reform continues as planned, and if the elections are held normally, the negotiations will start this year. The recent developments were a concern, because the Parliamentary dialogue is important to have normal elections.
Top Channel: Is this a message to the opposition?
Godwin C. Pulis: I have a message for the Albanian citizens represented by the majority and the opposition. They must sit in Parliament and discuss, even behind closed doors, and they should not get out until a solution is found.
Top Channel: What is the main condition, elections or the Vetting Law?
Godwin C. Pulis: Vetting is a criteria that goes in parallel with the elections. I trust that the Albanian citizens, represented in Parliament, may find a solution to these issues.
Top Channel: If this consensus is not reached until June, what will happen to the accession negotiations of Albania?
Godwin C. Pulis: This situation would create more difficulties, this is why I insist that a solution should be found until June. If the elections are held without problems, if the result is honest and not contested, we would start the accession negotiations right away.
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