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The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament approved today the report on Albania’s progress on the road to the European Union.
The report highlights the fact that vote-buying should be prosecuted, and also underlines that the general elections of April 25, 2021 will be essential for the consolidation of democracy.
The importance of implementing electoral reform measures is also further emphasized.
“Free and fair elections are essential for EU integration. Allegations of vote buying should be prosecuted. Welcomes the positive outcome of the agreement of 5 June 2020, which implemented some of the OSCE / ODIHR recommendations, but notes the failure to rely further on it and the fact that despite repeated international calls to await the Commission’s opinion Venice, further steps were taken without a broad cross-party consensus resulting in the adoption of controversial amendments to the Electoral Code in October 2020 by the Albanian Parliament. ”, stated in the EPP amendments.
Highlights of the report
Meanwhile, the report highlights the encouragement to political leaders to create a climate of trust by increase transparency and overcoming the lack of dialogue and expressing its serious concern about the polarized political climate and the lack of cross-party cooperation that continue to hamper the democratic process; Recalls the importance of constructive political dialogue to advance the reform process and further progress in ensuring normal democracy as well as the functioning of institutions.
Elections
The general elections of April 25, 2021 will be essential for the consolidation and renewal of the democratic procedures and structures of the country as well as to achieve a higher level of political stability underlining the free and fair one. Elections are essential for EU integration;
Expresses concern over allegations of vote buying and recalls that prosecution is among the conditions set by the Council on 25 March 2020, underlining the importance of securing preparations for the 2021 parliamentary elections, in a transparent and inclusive manner; (notes that all political forces, state bodies, civil society and the media have a common duty to ensure transparency, credibility and an objective electoral campaign, free from disinformation and accusations.
Electoral reform
Welcomes the positive outcome of the June 5, 2020 agreement, which implements some of the OSCE / ODIHR recommendations and notes the failure to rely on it and the fact that despite repeated international calls to await the opinion of the Venice Commission’s further have been undertaken without a broad cross-party consensus resulting in the adoption of controversial amendments to the Electoral Code in October 2020 by the Albanian Parliament.
Justice reforms
Recalls the key importance of protecting the rule of law through the regulation of the judiciary and sustained prosecution of high-level corruption; commends the progress made in implementing comprehensive judicial reforms, supported by the vetting process and the establishment of relevant institutions and specialized bodies, and calls for the acceleration of these procedures to achieve a tangible change towards an accountable and independent judiciary and functional, being a prerequisite for the first intergovernmental conference.
Court
Emphasizes the need to develop a more strategic approach to the justice sector, which addresses growing backlogs, calls for high standards of transparency in the justice sector, and reactivates tools such as Internet-operated databases. before; Welcomes the appointment of new members of the Constitutional Court, restoring functionality, and urges the Albanian institutions to expedite the completion of the appointment process, complete the relevant steps towards restoring the ability of the Constitutional Court to function fully and efficiently, and urges all those involved to quickly complete the appointment process; stresses the need to ensure the continued functioning and adequate staff of the Court of Appeals
Welcomes the fact that the Supreme Court has partially regained its ability to function and encourages it to make further progress in appointing additional judges, in order to make it fully functional and dramatically reduce pending cases.
organized crime
Notes the increase in proactive investigations, prosecutions and final sentences aimed at illegal wealth and money laundering, leading to the systematic freezing and confiscation of criminal assets, and calls for further strengthening of the prosecution and final sentences of the court of these cases; in accordance with the principles of judicial independence, due process and fair trial; highlights widespread money laundering problems, especially in the construction and real estate sectors.
Freedom of the media
Recalls the importance of ensuring quality journalism and increasing its levels for the functioning of democracy and in tackling disinformation, hate speech and false news; Calls on the EEAS and the Commission to improve coordination and address misinformation and threats that seek to undermine the European perspective in a more strategic way, underlining the importance of the EU to its citizens in the region.
Welcomes the commitment of the authorities to withdraw the proposed draft amendments to the Media Law, and encourages the full implementation of the Venice Commission Recommendations of 19 June 2020 for all future proposals. Reiterates the concerns initially proposed as measures under the so-called ‘anti-defamation package’ and notes that any review of the media and communications laws and the Criminal Code should be conducted in a transparent and comprehensive manner, ensuring that civil society voices and opinions, media and journalists to be heard.
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