Albania's opposition, ruling parties back at bargaining table

14/07/2010

TIRANA, Albania -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the opposition Socialist Party (SP) have returned to the negotiating table to try to resolve their longstanding political stalemate. Both parties said on Tuesday (July 13th) that negotiations will be based on implementing proposals in a European Parliament (EP) resolution on Albania's EU progress, adopted earlier this month. As for the June 2009 general elections, the DP said the SP should address the Constitutional Court and the Strasbourg-based European Court for Human Rights regarding their request to open the ballot boxes. The SP wants a parliamentary panel to investigate the elections as soon as possible, insisting SP members should have the majority of seats on the committee, as well as its chairmanship. (Shekulli, Top Albania Radio, Club FM, Top News - 13/07/10)

EU experts arrive in Tirana

14/07/2010

TIRANA, Albania -- A group of EU experts arrived in Tirana on Tuesday (July 13th) to access the country's progress in meeting criteria required for visa-free travel. The delegation is to check whether local authorities are exerting enough effort in the areas of law enforcement, fighting crime and corruption and confiscating criminal assets. The findings will be considered in the drafting of the final decision on Albania's and Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) readiness to join the visa-free regime, expected by October. Local media reported on Wednesday that European Parliament member and rapporteur on visa liberalisation for the Western Balkans, Tanja Fajon wants the two countries included in the visa-free regime as soon as possible.