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The 18th EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting was held for two consecutive days in Tirana, happening at an important moment as Albania has opened negotiations for the first fundamental chapter group.
The Chairman of the European Parliament delegation, Marco Tarquinio, stated at the meeting that reforms in the Albanian parliament have begun to embody the hope of becoming an EU member state.
He emphasized that “many things have changed over the past years in Albania, but meanwhile we have various interesting developments in this country now and we want to be on your side. We want to support you in your efforts as well.”
The Co-chair of the EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee, Toni Gogu, highlighted the progress made by Albania on its journey towards the EU.
“Distrust in independent institutions is one of the most serious threats to democracy. In a democracy, judges are not put on trial,” said Gogu, also mentioning the Special Parliamentary Committee on Good Governance, Anti-corruption, and Rule of Law as a new testament to Albania’s commitment to integration into the EU by 2030.
The European Union Ambassador to Tirana, Silvio Gonzato, declared that EU membership is an objective that does not belong to one party or another, but it is the ambition of all Albanian people.
Representatives of the Albanian opposition at the meeting expressed their views, emphasizing that they are not against EU integration, but the opposition will continue to speak its truths, regardless of whether these truths are not liked by some of the attendees.
“If you want a different perspective, do not include the opposition in this format, if you want it monotone, then you have the parliament,” said the leader of the Democratic Party parliamentary group, the largest opposition party, Gazment Bardhi.
On the second day of the EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee’s proceedings, the Albanian side did not reach an agreement, leading to the non-adoption of the resolution with the meeting’s discussions.
The opposition refused to give a pro vote. The head of the PD parliamentary group, Gazment Bardhi, said that the opposition is not against the integration process, but this vote against is due to the majority’s rejection of any PD proposal.
The EU delegation expressed that the vote against is a negative signal for the European Council, also slowing the integration process. (October 30)
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