The United States Deputy Assistant State Secretary, Philip Reeker, in an
interview for Voice of America declared that it is up to all parties
included in the Parliamentary elections to respect the final result.
Reeker reiterated the great significance for Albania to comply with its NATO members status by holding fair elections.
Voice of America initiatlly asked Mr.Reeker if Albania still has chances to fulfill the international standards, just a few days from the elections.
“I want to reiterate that Washington and Brussels, friends of Albania, will follow very closely the elections, the way how the process is held and the reaction for the elections result”, Reeker declared.
He said that all measures should be taken so that the Albanian people can trust the electoral process, and that the elections can fulfill the international and European standards. This would create the basis for the next phase for Albania’s complete integration in the Euro-Atlantic community”.
As regards the Central Election Commission stalemate, and if this situation puts the elections in risk, Reeker declared that the failure to constitute the Central Election Commission is a challenge for the effective administration of the elections, especially as regards the certification and appeals.
Another question of the Voice of America was related with the acceptance of the results by the parties, and if this was a concern for Washington.
“It is up to all parties to respect the final result. Since this will be a very important signal for Albania to comply with its status as a NATO country, by holding free elections and that will be recognized as such”.
Reeker thinks that the ballot count will be a critical element. “The ballot count is an important part of the process that doesn’t enjoy the complete trust of the public, based on past irregularities”, says the United States official, who appealed all parties to have their representatives in the electoral institution and the ballot counting groups.
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