In Albania visit, Ashton offers assistance on reforms, polls

TIRANA, April 16 – Preparation for the next parliamentary elections were at the top of the agenda during talks held between Albanian officials and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, as she held a brief visit to Albania as part of a regional tour.
“The European Union considers it of crucial importance that the 2013 Parliamentary elections are in line with international and European standards. This will be a test for the smooth functioning of the country’s democratic institutions and progress on the European Union path,” she said at a news conference held after the meetings.
Local media reported Ashton had cancelled a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sali Berisha, following rising political tensions in the country.
The EU also expressed “concern over the possible repercussions of a vote in parliament on the people’s confidence in the electoral process.”
She said that it was up to the local 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.”
Ashton said clearly that the conduct of forthcoming parliamentary elections would be a major test for the country, which hopes one day to join the 27-nation bloc.
Post-Communist Albania has repeatedly failed in the past to meet international election standards, and some 400 international observers will be in the country to monitor the upcoming vote.
The EU will closely monitor and support a free and fair electoral process, she said.
The visit also served to discuss Albania’s progress toward the integration process into the EU. Ashton said that “over past years Albania has made impressive progress.” She also reassured Albanians that the EU “is very much committed to the European perspective of Albania.” But she also added that “the progress on the path towards the European Union is in your hands.”
Ashton, the second highest official in the EU executive branch, also added that there is a need for genuine and a constructive dialogue among all the political parties and the will to find compromises are key to progress.
“We need to see a solid track record of reforms, especially in tackling corruption and organised crime,” she said.
Ashton also spoke about the recent nationalist rhetoric in the tiny western Balkan country.
“To maintain this constructive role, the use of nationalistic rhetoric has to be avoided. Albania needs to continue its traditional role of honest and constructive regional player. We need your support in our continuing efforts to stabilize the region and help it move forward.”
Ashton said she had given one clear message to the Albanian political leaders and officials “is one of support, but also one of high expectations: as the potential candidate country Albania must embrace the challenges and move forward.”
Albania applied for EU candidate status in 2009, but has failed to meet some of the conditions, including political and judicial reforms, and fighting corruption and crime.
Political polarization, concerns over Albanian democracy and the slow pace of reform have stalled Albania’s bid to join the EU.