After the visits of Mr Knut Fleckenstein (S&D) and Mr Eduard Kukan (EPP) in Albania, on 19th and 22nd of December 2014, led by efforts to encourage their Albanian political partners to re-establish cross-party political dialogue and find solutions to efficient functioning of the parliament, the members of the European parliament issued the following common statement:
“We have reassured our political partners in Albania about continuous support of our political groups to the European integration process. During the last days we have demonstrated this support by willingness to engage in renewing political dialogue between ruling majority and opposition and by encouraging the opposition to put an end to the boycott of the parliament.
“Albania needs sustainable and constructive political dialogue between ruling majority and opposition in order to fulfil the European ambitions of its citizens. It is a shared responsibility of the both sides to create conditions and ensure that such dialogue is taking place primarily in the parliament.
“We appreciate that both parties were able to agree on our proposal concerning the principles of cooperation in the parliament. Our proposal concerned return to efficient and inclusive work of the parliament, respect and implementation of the decisions of Constitutional court and commitment to address the issue of people with criminal records running for public office.
“Now we encourage political leaders to continue and step up their efforts to finalise sustainable solution for efficient work of the parliament and confirm their agreement in form of joint parliamentary resolution. Albanian leaders need to take responsibilities for effective functioning of the democratic institutions in the country. Therefore we call once again on the opposition to resume their work in the parliament and carry on with their parliamentary duties and on the ruling majority to uphold conditions for inclusive political dialogue within this institution.
“We remain supporting further efforts to restore cross-party political dialogue and cooperation, which is essential for the EU integration process and credibility of Albania in the EU.”
Knut Fleckenstein – Vice-Chair of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and rapporteur for Albania in the European Parliament
Contact details: knut.fleckenstein@ep.europa.eu; Tel: +32 (0)2 28 45548
Eduard Kukan – Member of the Group of the European People's Party (EPP) and shadow rapporteur for Albania in the European Parliament
Contact details: eduard.kukan@ep.europa.eu; Tel: +32 (0)2 28 47216
