After holidays, comes the preparation for the report of the USA. Knut
Fleckenstein, the rapporteur for Albania at the European Parliament, who
will take care of this report in an interview for Top Channel speaks
about a positive situation. But, according to him, there have been
failures, such as the local government. He underlines that the duty of
the political class in Albania is now the justice reform.
TCH: Mr.Fleckenstein, the Foreign Committee of the European Parliament has already discussed the reports for all other countries of the region. When will you present the report for Albania and what will it focus on?
Fleckenstein: I have several thoughts, but after the holidays of Christmas and New Year I will start preparing the report. I don’t have many concerns, because it is clear there has been progress. But we have had failures too, such as the local elections. For the moment, the justice reform remains the most important one.
TCH: Before the presentation of the report at the Foreign Committee, by the end of February, do you plan to go to Albania again?
Fleckenstein: Yes, but not for questions regarding the report. Maybe I should explain what I have written in it, because it is not important only for the European Parliament to know what I think, but the European colleagues should also know what I have written and why. Secondly, in this visit I will be accompanied by colleague Eduard Kukan, to discuss on the further steps of the justice reform. We all feel that this is the most important reform for the country, especially when a series of other reforms cannot be implemented without this justice reform.
TCH: Your latest final report congratulates the Parliament for passing the decriminalization law. On the same day, the Parliament voted the fiscal package. The opposition continued with its protest against the government. Do you have any comment about these developments?
Fleckenstein: It is a clear duty of the Parliament to take decisions and the government must implement what the Parliament decides. I understand that his decisions are not always good for the government, since the Parliament Members have their opinions. However, the Parliament decides and the government implements. On the other hand, I would say that it is a right of the opposition to initiate protests on the street. Why not? As long as they are peaceful, people need to tell the government they don’t agree with their decisions. There is nothing spectacular here. My main message is that they should be more calm. I understand that any opposition wants to change the rules and the government, but elections are held every four years and the latest ones took one party in power and another in opposition. If they have good ideas, we should support them. But a government change is not necessarily needed.
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