Romana Vllahutin, EU Ambassador in Tirana, declared in an interview for
Top Channel that she will be direct during her mandate and will not
speak with a diplomatic language. Vlahutin answered to the questions for
the main priority established by the EU, the rule of law and fight
against corruption.
Romana Vllahutin: This is the absolute, basic and decisive priority. What has been reached so far is just a mix. We see two things, a massive reform in the judiciary, for which they are holding consultations with the Parliament’s round tables. We are happy with the participation and the discipline of the “ad hock” commission. The international community has given its assistance and has become part of these discussions. We are not happy with the fact that some persons are not being part of these discussions. We want to invite anyone who is interested to participate in these discussions and guarantee that the process is all inclusive and open for everyone,. No one would find a justification later and say it was stopped or excluded from the participation.
TCH: Do you think that the judiciary reform will be successful and impartial?
Romana Vllahutin: It is a thorough reform of the judiciary system. The rest is related to the implementation of existing laws, including the implementation of the other parts of the legislation. Everyone in the international community is waiting for their implementation. There are laws in Albania which can be implemented right now. Nothing stops the Prosecutors, police or judges to investigate people who clearly need to face the law. This is what we are doing with Mr.Ganaj, the tax authorities, various ministries, the Prosecution General, so that we can explain to anyone that they need to joiun forces and bring to justice those who have abused the system or profits by damaging the Albanian citizens.
Ambassador Vlahutin gives this evaluation for the establishing of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Romana Vlahutin: One part of the legislation that would allow in practice the NBI, was found against the Constitution. Our colelagues from the USA are trying to help, together with those of the UK. I think that when we speak about a new rule of law In Albania, the more institutions like this we have, the better it is.
As for the failure of the decriminalization draft-law, the EU diplomat says that the propositions were very similar, but they were not approved for different political tactics.
Romana Vllahutin: With or without these amends, it must be clear for the political parties and their leaders that they should not include in the candidate list people who may have had the smallest shadow of criminal activity from the past. I have said many times and I will reiterated as much as I can that the Albanian citizens need the best to represent them. We are dealing with a moral credibility in front of the laws that will stop non-moral things from happening..
EU: We will speak about incriminated candidates
Ambassador Vlahutin: Wen will be direct after May 13th
TCH: What will be your position for the issue of problematic candidates, since the EU delegation in Tirana is one of the supporters of decriminalization?
Romana Vllahutin: Our position is very clear. We are looking into it. The last deadline is May 13th. After this we will talk about what we think. There is enough time by May 13th to change things. After this date we will be very clear in our message.
TCH: You just said that your message will be very clear. Does this mean that you will make public the candidates who should not run for the June 21st elections?
Romana Vlahutin: We are discussing about this. The international community and the ambassadors are not law enforcers. We must take in consideration the fact that everyone has to be presumed innocent until trial. If there is data that some people were involved in criminal activities but there was no damage,, we should be balanced on how to treat this issue. Our US colleagues have taken one step and we will continue to work together for this matter. I will make our position very clear, but the main message for the political leaders is this. Be careful with the lists, so that you can have the right candidates.
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