Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Brussels urges Albania pass a decisive judicial reform

Mogherini presses Albania on reform package for EU membership
Published June 07, 2016 Associated Press


TIRANA, Albania –  The European Union is calling Albanian politicians' failure to agree on judicial reforms "a missed opportunity" that will hurt the country's steps toward integration with the bloc.

Albania's main political leaders did not agree Monday on reforms seen as key to fighting corruption at all levels, especially in the judiciary.

Speaking Tuesday in Brussels, Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, said "yesterday's meeting was a missed opportunity but our position has not changed: This reform needs to be adopted."

She said the draft bill "is in line with the international standards" and urged the Albanians to resume talks on it.

Opposition Democrats are resisting approving the measure. Their votes are needed in Albania's 140-seat parliament to reach a two-thirds majority, for the bill includes constitutional amendments.

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