Opposition in harsh debate with European MPs, Bumci with Macovei
16/03/2015 00:00
Opposition protesters break metal barriers in front of Tirana municipality, physically clash with officers who throw tear gas 30/04 21:24
The opposition’s patience lasted until some of the Ministers at the
EU-Albania meeting spoke about the reforms undertaken so far, a format
led by the Albanian MP, Taulant Balla, and the Romanian European MP,
Monica Macovei.
The opposition reported the presence of the Albanian ministers in this meeting as unprecedented. They started their denouncing in Albanian and then continued in English, breaking the myth that Albanian politicians can have more understanding in this foreign language.
“You established a new format for the first time. You cannot impose a formula that has never been followed in the past 10 years. This is ridiculous. The majority is asking its ministers. Is this democracy? I am the opposition and the opposition takes its own decisions. I want my time to speak. You cannot impose me an agenda”, declared the Democratic MP, Aldo Dumci, to the Romanian European MP, Monika Macovei.
Macovei invited the opposition to make question, which had no question about the key priorities, that are the purpose of this meeting, but they insisted in their demand to discuss.
Ben Blushi, Socialist MP: It is a luxury that the opposition has no question. This is a gap that is worth being used.
Majlinda Bregu, Democratic Party MP: How can we give a meaning to this debate. My question is why the Socialist MPs had no time to make questions to their ministers when they are together, but they find time here, for show.
The tense meeting was about the official stance of Tirana about its desire to open the negotiation talks.
Ditmir Bushati, Foreign Minister: We have expressed our desire to discuss with the Commission a timeframe and a choreography of the actions that would bring a recommendation for the start of the membership talks, since the negotiations are more than an instrument for us. Not simply a phase of the process, but the process itself which guarantees transforming reforms.
Majlinda Bregu: I agree with the Foreign Minister. It is not a matter of letters, but we need a choreography. You call it a choreography, I call it political will to implement the reforms.
Removing the ministers from the room was not enough for a calm discussion. The opposition protested again for the fact that the meeting was held behind closed doors.
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