“Elections, a test for the functioning of democracy” / Varhelyi: Albania has done the tasks for the opening of the first intergovernmental conference!

Varhelyi said in his speech that the challenges for Albania have been numerous, due to the pandemic that has affected the world but also the earthquake that hit the country earlier.

Varhelyi has returned a response to the criticism of Prime Minister Edi Rama that Albania was left in oblivion by the EU regarding anti-COVID vaccines.

Regarding the April 25 elections, the European Commissioner for Enlargement stressed that they will be a test to see the functioning of Albanian democracy.

Excerpts from the speech of Commissioner Varhelyi:

I want to congratulate and complete a few things. I want to draw attention to the fact that Albania not only suffered from the pandemic, but had to face a strong earthquake. The challenges are extraordinary and continue to be so. Albania is yielding results and keeping its promises. Not only has it been able to do so but it has yielded results both in the rule of law and in other matters. I want to reiterate that in the vetting process, as it is moving strongly, with the Constitutional Court with the Supreme Court. Everything is fulfilled for the first international conference.

We also discussed the pandemic crisis. We have brought support to the Western Balkans. I think it’s our contribution to the recovery. Of course today we are no longer talking about masks but the key word is the vaccine. Member States have problems getting the vaccine. We are working hard to get these vaccines and deliver them to these regions. There will be a first distribution by Covax in Albania.

We know that there will be parliamentary elections soon. We expressed the hope that they will be free and honest, we will have the first proof of the functioning of Albanian democracy. We encouraged Albania not to stop working during the campaign, because the results are important to convince member states to open negotiations.

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