See all papers

Albania 2017

Resolution on Albania adopted by the EPP Political Assembly of 24 January 2017
Download this paper:
The EPP Political Assembly, at its meeting of 23-24 January 2017 in Brussels, makes the following resolution:
  • Taking note of the European Council conclusions on Albania in December 2016;
  • Recognizing the firm and unwavering commitment of the Democratic Party of Albania (DPA) to
Albania’s European integration process;
  • Fully in line with the EU’s commitment to the enlargement process upon the fulfillment of membership criteria by applicant countries;
  • Stressing the importance of the integration process as a catalyst in moving forward with key and bold reforms, as well as the massive support which this process enjoys among the Albanian population;
  • Recognizing the important role that Albania plays in the peace, stability and development of the region;
  • The EPP:
  1. Welcomes the unanimous adoption by the Albanian Parliament of the constitutional changes related to the judicial reform and urges that remaining legislation be adopted in consensual spirit;
  1. Calls for the swift implementation of this reform, for the benefit of Albanian citizens, and for further progress in EU integration;
  1. Regrets actions taken by the government at the expense of political consensus and calls on all political forces to establish a qualitative, durable and all-inclusive political dialogue, as a significant requirement for Albania’s European integration;
  1. Recalls that Albania is heading for parliamentary elections scheduled for 18 June 2017, representing an important democratic test and milestone for the future of the country and its path towards the EU;
  1. Calls on all parties, the governing majority and the opposition to address without delay the recommendations of OSCE/ODIHR and ensure that elections are held in line with European standards; emphasizes that vote-buying actions are incompatible with European standards; urges that follow-up implementation regarding the latest OSCE/ODIHR election report be fully tackled and efficiently put into practice; calls for strong and strict international observation of the pre-election period and the election campaign;
  1. Calls on full implementation of the “Decriminalization Law” related to public offices, as a clear sign of political will to break ties with crime, and calls on the ruling majority for immediate action fulfilling this priority; underlines that decriminalization of public offices is an important step to enhancing political culture in the country and calls on all parties to respect this law when preparing for elections;
  1. Expresses the urgent need for Albania to seriously tackle massive cultivation and trafficking in cannabis; the fight against organized crime, including that involving drugs, remains a vital issue for Albania as it pursues EU integration;
  1. Fully supports the Democratic Party of Albania and its committed efforts to affirmative political dialogue and firm action in order to address the legitimate concerns of the population.


Read more