On Thursday, 23 July, Commissioner for Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi welcomed the Albanian Parliament’s adoption of amendments to the Electoral Code, in line with the 5 June agreement between the parties (see EUROPE 12501/26).
These amendments were passed by 97 votes in favour, 6 against, and 4 abstentions.
Mr Várhelyi pointed out on Twitter, “This fulfils a key condition of EU Council conclusions” of 25 March (see EUROPE 12454/31) for the opening of accession negotiations.
While additional proposals were made for electoral reform, the commissioner called on all parties, with regard to any additional changes, to “to continue discussions, so spirit and results of 5 June agreement are not derailed”.
EU Ambassador to Albania Luigi Soreca also welcomed this adoption, emphasising that “the new legislative provisions will give Albania an electoral framework with higher integrity and transparency standards, based on OSCE/ODIHR recommendations”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)