Albania hopes European Parliament can solve the political deadlock

Tirana, Albania | Tirana Echo – Albania hopes the European Parliament can diffuse the current political deadlock as its Rapporteur on Albania MEP Knut Fleckenstein was in Tirana today to meet with the country’s key political players to discuss justice affairs and the current ongoing opposition protest.

Fleckenstein who recently had his report on Albania approved by the European Parliament, comes to Albania on the 4th day of the non-stop protest held by the opposition democrats and said that he had a good meeting with PM Edi Rama, refusing to go into the protesters’ tent, opting to meet later with the DP chairman Lulzim Basha instead.

“I had a meeting with Rama and I will also meet with Meta and Basha. I will not go to the opposition’s protest” – said Fleckenstein to the media.

Fleckenstein had said earlier that the agenda in Albania is difficult while talks would be serious, telling Deutsche Welle that upcoming general elections were critical for the country’s accession talks with the European Union.

This afternoon Fleckenstein had lunch with Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta accompanied by Ambassadors of all EU member states where reportedly he discussed on the current political deadlock and the crucial ‘vetting’ process which should start scanning all judges and prosecutors to be allowed to work in the newly reformed justice system.

Later on in the evening Fleckenstein met with DP chair Lulzim Basha, whose democratic party is on its 4th day protesting in front of the PM office in Tirana.

After the meeting at the DP headquarters Basha said that he explained to Mr. Fleckenstein the “decision not to withdraw from our decision for free and fair elections through a technical government, and the DP is firm to stand with the citizens and close to the citizens until this purpose is achieved“.

Earlier in February, a large majority in the European Parliament adopted a report on Albania proposed by MEP Fleckenstein.

The report acknowledges Albania’s steady progress towards fulfilling the remaining key priorities and sets out the reform steps which are still outstanding. It urges Albania to continue its reform efforts in the interests of the country’s citizens and it calls on the European Commission and the Council to continue their active support for Albania’s EU accession process. It also calls for opening EU accession negotiations with Albania as soon as there is credible progress with implementation of the justice reform.