German and Dutch Foreign Ministers Call on Albanian Opposition to End Political Deadlock

Tirana, Albania | Tirana Echo – The foreign Ministers of Germany and the Netherlands have visited Tirana today calling on opposition democrats to return to parliament and end the country’s political deadlock which risks Albania’s EU membership bid.

German FM Sigmar Gabriel who met with his Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati and the country’s Prime Minister Edi Rama said that there are lots of prejudices in Europe over Albania and what the opposition is doing only strengthens such prejudices.

“No one in Germany or in Europe understand how only weeks ahead of upcoming general elections the opposition asks for a technical government. This is incomprehensible and the national interest of an opposition could not be chaos,” – said Gabriel who added that the parliamentary boycott of the opposition democrats is blocking justice reform and damages Albania’s reputation.

“I call on those who have taken Albania on a crossroad. If parliament continues to be blocked as well as the reform of the justice system, then your path towards the EU is getting harder. The lives of Albanian citizens will also become harder. The opposition can make proposals for free and fair elections but the boycott is not a solution.” – said a tough Gabriel slamming Albania’s opposition who refuses to take part in June’s general elections demanding the prime minister’s resignation and the formation of a technical government

In a parallel visit to Tirana and using a softer tone, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said that the Netherlands supported Albania’s European membership bid but this required the implementation of important reforms such as that of the justice system.

“We praise the government’s engagement in reforming the justice system and the time has come for its implementation through the Vetting process. I believe elections are important. This is an internal matter and I do not wish to get involved but I believe there should be political dialogue in order to have free and fair elections,” – said Koenders during his press conference with his Albanian counterpart in Tirana this morning.

bert, koenders, ilir, meta, netherlands, albania — Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders meeting with Albania’s Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta this morning in Tirana

The visits of the two high EU foreign ministers come as Albania’s opposition has been protesting for almost two months, boycotting parliament and demanding the prime minister’s resignation.

The Democratic Party and other smaller opposing parties demand the formation of a technical government which would guarantee free and fair elections, which the democrats fear will be manipulated by drug money circulating after a huge increase in cannabis trafficking during the last year.

PM Rama has said his ruling socialists have no intention to resign or postpone elections, and have accused Basha’s democrats of escaping justice reform and blocking the country’s European integration path.

After a governing coalition meeting yesterday, Rama’s junior partner Ilir Meta who is seen as the country’s kingmaker said the majority had the will to guarantee free and fair elections and said they will ask European right wing EPP to help defuse the political crisis.

“Understanding the difficulties of the opposition, we have decided to officially ask the European Peoples Party where the DP is a member, to assist in facilitating this dialogue, in order for the country to have free and fair elections and with the aim of continuing the European integration process,” – said Meta.

Albania hopes to open accession talks with the European Union for membership, which the European Commission has conditioned on the full implementation of justice reform.