Brussels, 17/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 17 November, Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle welcomed the Albanian parliament's agreement that same day in favour of creating a parliamentary committee on electoral reform, and the decision taken by the Conference of Chairpersons, on Monday 14 November, to establish a parliamentary working group on reform of its rules of procedures, and a calendar for the review and adoption of the three-fifths majority laws. These developments, together with the resumption of full parliamentary work in September, are “decisive steps towards the normalisation of political relations in the country”, Füle said, explaining that they are expected to “mark the end of the political stalemate”. He added: “These are important elements of Albania's renewed efforts to move ahead on key reforms”.
The commissioner strongly encouraged the ruling majority and opposition to build on these positive developments, fully restoring and sustaining a constructive political dialogue, to allow the proper functioning of key democratic institutions, notably the parliament, and to achieve consensual electoral reform results. “All of this should result in the creation of a new momentum for EU integration reforms in Albania”, Füle said. (CG/transl.jl)