A meeting of the EU-Albania stabilisation and association parliamentary committee meeting was an excellent opportunity to encourage the Albanian delegation to continue with judicial reform, modernisation of the public administration, and to spare no effort in the fight against crime and corruption. We had two days of intense discussions.
A joint statement was adopted but not the recommendations as we had initially planned. This does not represent a failure but it has been a lesson on how agreements should be reached. The interests of Albania and the Albanian people are beyond party or individual interests. Strong words were exchanged but I am not one to give up and parliament's compromise text is ready to be discussed in detail next time.
"There are times in the history of a country when all parties have to act hand-in-hand to achieve vital objectives"
The Albanian parliament should drive change in the country and political parties need to stop their internal fighting and promote dialogue among themselves. Most importantly, Albanian parties must strengthen democracy within their own organisations and decisions that should not rest with one individual only.
We work for the Albanian people, not for the parties. Albanians want EU accession because this will see an improvement in their lives, in the rule of law, human rights, jobs, and public health sector among others. To ensure this happens, politicians must remain united when negotiations open because this objective goes beyond any political position.
There are times in the history of a country when all parties have to act hand-in-hand to achieve vital objectives. The accession of Albania to the EU would make life better for all people.
Keeping track of records of cases of corruption, fraud and other crimes is an important step. Prosecutors should be allowed to investigate allegations, regardless of the political party involved.
People in public positions with criminal records should resign as an example of taking responsibility. Electoral lists should be validated as soon as possible, in light of the local elections in June.
The Albanian people need to have trust in their system of governance and be shown evidence to convince them that things are changing. The judiciary needs a high degree of professionalism and independence, to oversee the clean-up of the political and the administrative systems. There are no good institutions without good people leading them.
Albania is on the right track but more progress is needed. Albanian authorities have the full support of the EU institutions in their path to accession, but they must prove that they have the capacity and the political will to make a breakthrough in the reform process.