The chairman of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta, appeared at a media conference, where he spoke about the latest progress report of the Council of Europe for Albania. Meta says that this finding of the EC shows the critical state of state capture. He adds that it is stated that the initiatives of the opposition are being blocked in the parliament, including those of the Freedom Party.
The head of PL adds that the government is not at all committed to the country's EU integration process, but only cares about its power.
"The Progress Report of the European Commission for Albania for 2023 shows a continuous deterioration in all the main areas of the functioning of democracy and the state. The Progress Report highlights the crisis and dysfunction of the Parliament.
In the evaluation of the achievement of the political criteria, the European Commission in the Progress Report 2023 for Albania states that "parliamentary supervision of the executive has remained limited".
The European Commission expresses criticism for the rejection of the parliamentary investigation commissions requested by the opposition, for the refusal of the Prime Minister to participate in the interpellations, for the exclusion of the opposition MPs from the Assembly, and the blocking of the Electoral Reform Commission .
"Despite the establishment of the special commission for electoral reform, no progress was made either in adopting any text or in addressing the outstanding recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission. This requires constructive and comprehensive political dialogue from all parties"
The EC characterizes the political situation in Albania as "marked by political polarization" and this is best observed in the proceedings of the Assembly of Albania, where cooperation and constructive dialogue between the opposition and the government has become practically impossible because the government refuses.
This finding of the European Commission on the work and effectiveness of the Parliament of Albania shows the very critical state of state capture.
The Freedom Party, through its deputies, has submitted to the Parliament the draft law, which would enable the full inclusion of all parliamentary parties in the European Integration Council, thus creating the necessary conditions for a political climate of cooperation that would advance the integration process of Albania in the EU, but since 1 and a half years this draft law has not been considered by the Parliament of Albania.
In complete contradiction to the law on the Council of European Integration, the governing majority, assisted by an Assembly captured by it, misuses the very important institutions that must work to promote and advance European integration.
We also see with concern the conclusion of the Progress Report of the EC, where the Albanian government is required that "It should engage in more powerful public communication for the process of Albania's membership in the EU."
This finding makes the Albanian government guilty, which is not seen as a government that does not have the proper commitment to the process of Albania's membership in the EU, even with public information. In this way, it clearly shows that this is a completely peripheral and non-priority process.
Progress The report identifies corruption as a major and widely accepted concern and highlights the increase in non-competitive procurement, calling for transparency.
Progress The report states that not only is corruption a widespread phenomenon in all areas of life, but also the level of preparation of the country's institutions to fight and reduce corruption is "below average".
The fight against organized crime - below average. So the lack of political will is clear.
This finding is accompanied by the recommendation for "more efforts in the fight against illegal drugs, in increasing the capacities of law enforcement authorities".
"Information on cases of money laundering and high-level corruption remains insufficient and financial investigations need to be developed further,"
While one of the most problematic pages is the one that belongs to you, that is, the media.
Freedom of Expression – limited progress:
"Albania is between a certain level and an average degree of preparation regarding freedom of expression," the report states.
The EC finds that "the intertwining of business and political interests, the lack of transparency of funding sources, the concentration of media ownership, intimidation and unsafe working conditions continued to hinder media independence, pluralism and the quality of journalism."
The atmosphere of verbal and physical attacks, smear campaigns and intimidation lawsuits against journalists has not improved.
The European Commission, through this Progress Report, also recognizes concerns about the misuse of state resources in the May 14 elections, including the problems mentioned in the ODIHR report for the May 14 elections, such as vote buying, misuse of state administration, pressure on voters.
The report states that the Parliament should immediately reform the Electoral Code, taking into consideration the decision of the Constitutional Court on the diaspora and its vote, so that in the next elections the problems as above will not affect the electoral process", he stated among other things . in his speech Ilir Meta. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
