Pact welcomed in Brussels

Stano declared that they are monitoring every development regarding the integration criteria, including the justice system and the trial against former Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta, accused of corruption after a video registration that has spurred many debates.

Top Channel: The two main political parties in Albania reached an agreement. The Commission was very committed to help both parties to come together. Is the Commission happy with it and what are the next steps that are expected from Albania?
 
Peter Stano, the Spokesperson of Commissioner Stefan Fule: Certainly, we welcome these propositions for the creation of the National Committee and Working Group for the electoral reform. We think that these are positive developments. We are looking forward for the approval of the proposition and we think that these developments open a new moment in Albania’s road for fulfilling the national goal of EU integration. We welcome it.
 
Top Channel: In fact, the integration road has the 12 key priorities set by EU, one of which is the functioning of the judicial system. The Albanian Court is currently processing a high-level corruption case. Is the Commission following this case, as it happened with the “Sanader” case, and what do you expect from the Albanian Justice?

Peter Stano: I believe that you are referring to the trail of the former Deputy Prime Minister, Ilir Meta. I’m afraid that I’ll not be able to tell more than what I said in our last interview. The European Commission considers the judicial system, especially for countries that are undergoing the membership process, partner countries or EU candidates, as very important criteria. As you said, this is one of the key priorities. We are looking forward to the full implementation of all these measures that are related with the 12 key priorities for Albania. I can quote again the progress-report for Albania, in which we noted little progress in administering the evidence for active investigations, for prosecuting and punishing corruption. The one that you mentioned is a high profile corruption case in Albania. This means that we are following it very closely and we expect the Albanian justice to function independently and impartially, and if needed, with the help of our highest level of technical forensics. We also expect them to make good use of the international cooperation framework in such cases, in order to receive the necessary help or assistance.

Top Channel: Such help has been requested by the Albanian Prosecution, but it was rejected by the Court. Did this fact come to your knowledge?

Peter Stano: Certainly, we are following this case and we are paying the needed attention, but I will not comment on the individual undertakings of an ongoing process.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj, Brussels

Top Channel