Strasbourg, 17/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - During her visit to Tirana (Albania) on Tuesday 16 April, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton underlined “the crucial importance” of the parliamentary elections on 23 June being in line with international and European standards. The previous day, heated discussions on the preparations of the elections shook the Albanian parliament and an electoral official was dismissed.
These elections “will be a test for the smooth functioning of the country's democratic institutions and progress on the European Union path”, Ashton said. Albania currently wants to obtain candidate status. The previous day, Ashton highlighted her concerns about the possible repercussions of a vote in the parliament on the people's confidence in the electoral process. “It is the responsibility of all politicians to ensure the independence of institutions and to make sure that they enjoy the trust of everyone. There needs to be trust in the process”, she said.
Ashton hails progress. During her meetings with Albania's President Bujar Nishani, Prime Minister Sali Berisha and leader of the opposition, Edi Rama, Ashton hailed Tirana's “impressive progress” over recent years. “We want to see the country progress at a good pace. But the progress on the path towards the European Union is in your hands”, she explained, adding that, “as a potential candidate country, Albania must embrace the challenges and move forward”. She said that “a genuine and a constructive dialogue among all the political parties and the will to find compromises are key to progress”. Since 2009, Albania has experienced political deadlock with a strong distrust between the Right in power and the Socialist opposition.
Ashton highlighted the necessary reforms in terms of tackling corruption and organised crime. While emphasising Albania's constructive role in the region, she reiterated that “the use of nationalistic rhetoric has to be avoided”. “Albania needs to continue its traditional role of honest and constructive regional player”, she added. (CG/transl.fl)