Albania’s progress was blocked by the political stunt. During a press conference on the progress report on Albania, European Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule explained why Albania was rejected for the second time the status of the candidate country to the EU.

According to Fule, the government should create the necessary conditions to finalize the process of integration, and the opposition should play a more constructive role.

“Progress was blocked by the political stunt and by the parliamentary boycott, regardless of our efforts to support progress. Lately, we have had positive signals. The government should create the conditions to proceed with this process. In my opinion, the opposition should have a constructive role. We are willing to support Albania to overcome this stunt. The European Commission and the European Parliament are all willing to help Albania. They should urgently start dialogue and create a level of cooperation, which will enable them to make progress toward the EU,” said Fule.

While reporting on the Foreign Parliamentary Commission in the European Commission, Stefan Fule talked about the progress that Albania has made compared to the past; he also raised the question whether Albania’s actual problem is only a political one, or is it related even to economy?

“There is a political stunt. Maybe you will consider my words too explicit, but we are willing to help Albania in two aspects: the reform of the Electoral Code and the addressing of the 12 recommendations that were made to the Albanian government,” said Fule.

During his speech, Commissioner Fule emphasized the transformation of the candidate countries for the status. According to Fule, Rule of Law, reform in the public administration, freedom of the media and economic stability are the main issues on which the progress report on the Balkan region countries is based.

Berisha: Refusal, our responsibility

Prime Minister Sali Berisha accepted the responsibility of the Albanian political class for the rejection of the status of the candidate country to Albania.

Few minutes after the EU Ambassador to Tirana, Ettore Sequi, consigned the European Commission’s progress report for Albania, the head of the government informed the Albanian citizens that the requests of the European Commission are right and the problem consists in the country’s political class. Berisha emphasized that the government will work for all the problems that are mentioned in this report and it re-invites the opposition for constructive dialogue within the fundamental constitutional and democratic principles.

“This is an unlucky tradition, where people see the problems in others, not in themselves. I want to tell the Albanian citizens that the problems consist within us; the commission’s requests are right, because there is no other country that does not vote the EU requests. I am ready to address the electoral reform tomorrow, but my rival proposes a ridiculous scheme. I can not control dialogue, because dialogue needs two parties. My duty as the Prime Minister of the country is to respect the country’s Constitution,” said Berisha.

The Prime Minister commented the last attitude shown by the Socialist leader, Edi Rama, in relation to the public promises to vote the laws that were related to integration, and then continuing with the 10-point package that the Socialists deposited in parliament. The head of the government emphasized that the government can not lead the opposition and he invited the Socialist leader to send the 52 amendments to the Venice Commission and ODIHR.

“The Chairman of the opposition changed his attitude and he presented the 10 points. Of course, this can be accepted neither today nor in 2030. If Rama wants to compile all the amendments, he can ask the experts within the SP; and then let he send the 52 of them to the Venice Commission and ODIHR, and we will vote them in parliament without making any comments,” said Berisha.

The Prime Minister guaranteed the UE Ambassador to Tirana that the report will be transformed into a working program by the government he leads. Berisha added that the process of European integration remains a process of fundamental importance for the Albanian government.