EUHR Solana encourages Albania to speed up electoral reforms and fight against organized crime

Javier SOLANA, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), met today with the Albanian Foreign Minister, Kastriot ISLAMI, and with the Minister of European Integration, Ermelinda MEKSI, to discuss the development of EU-Albania relations, the internal situation in the country and regional issues in the Western Balkans.

Mr. Solana acknowledged that Albania has come a long way and that there has been progress on the economy and on the adoption of legislation. Considering the high ambitions of Albania to be part of the Euro-Atlantic structures, the current pace of reform must be much more rapid. The recent EU-declaration on Albania was a serious wake-up call to national leaders.

The High Representative urged the Albanian government to speed up the preparations for the parliamentary elections due in June 2005. These elections will be an important test of Albania's democratic maturity and crucial for Albania's further integration with the EU. In this respect, he suggested that the Albanian government takes the initiative and makes concrete steps to unblock the necessary electoral reforms.

In addition, the High Representative encouraged Albania to take more assertive action in the fight against organized crime and corruption. The performance of Albania in this regard will be judged on the actual results on the ground

Moreover, Javier Solana appreciated Albania's constructive role in the Western Balkans.

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