EU to open accession talks with Albania after it starts justice reform

The door of European Union (EU) is open, and it is up to the Albanian government and political class to take the necessary steps forward in the country's integration, EU chief diplomat said Friday.

Time has come for Albania to take its steps forward in its path to EU, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, after talks with main political leaders in Tirana.

"We are open and willing to kick off the accession negotiations with Albania as soon as Albania approves the justice reform, and in particular, the Vetting Law," Mogherini told a joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

She noted that the Albanian leadership has to take the right decisions on implementation of justice reform, and show the same unanimity with which it went through parliament in July last year.

The "Vetting Law" is considered crucial not only for the implementation of Albania's judicial reforms, but also for the country's opening of accession talks with the EU.

The Vetting Law adopted last August calls for the scanning of around 800 judges and prosecutors in Albania in terms of their professional ability, moral integrity and level of independence from organized crime, corruption and political officials.

Mogherini also called on the Albanian opposition to go back to parliament to carry its political battle forward, noting that the boycott of the parliamentary work meant blocking of justice reform, which is crucial to the EU integration process.

Political game needs to be played inside the field, not outside it, which means the debate should take place in parliament, which is the heart of democracy, she said.

She made a call to both political camps to enter dialogue and find a way out of the current political deadlock, which in her view, hampered and delayed the opening of EU accession talks.

Mogherini stressed that Albanian citizens wanted the EU integration so it was the politics' turn to make the crucial steps needed for this process.

Mogherini also urged the parties to get prepared for the general elections scheduled on June 18, highlighting that Albania should take into consideration the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations.

Mogherini visited Albania at a time when Albanian opposition is on its 14th day of protest, seeking a caretaker government for guaranteeing free and fair elections.

Early on Friday, the ruling coalition invited the opposition to establish a dialogue and present its proposals related to the electoral reform, thus expressing readiness to dialogue with the opposition in order to push reforms forward.

In its response, the opposition said in a press statement that it was willing to have a real dialogue and expressed four main requests.

Complete implementation of the Decriminalization Law, an efficient fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, preparation for free and fair elections, and implementation of the Judicial Reform according to the Constitutional definitions of July 22, were the four conditions set by the opposition.

"If such conditions arent met, we will continue protests and will continue to boycott the parliament as this is a fight for free and fair elections," said opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha.

Xinhua: Source