Assistant
Secretary of State Victoria Nuland told Democratic Party leader Lulzim
Basha that the package was "a top priority in U.S.-Albanian relations
and for Albania's progress toward the EU," according to a statement from
the U.S. embassy in Tirana.
A
day earlier, EU's top official for enlargement Johannes Hahn also urged
Albania to complete the reforms if it wants to launch full membership
talks with the bloc.
Despite
regular visits and direct involvement from the U.S. and EU ambassadors,
Democrats do not agree with a final draft despite earlier approval.
Their votes are needed in the 140-seat Parliament for some
constitutional amendments in the package that should be passed by the
end of the month to convince Brussels to authorize membership
negotiations.
After
getting candidate status from Brussels two years ago, Albania, a NATO
member since 2009, expects to launch full membership talks this year on
the condition that the legal package is approved and implemented.
The
EU and the U.S. have helped Tirana draft the reform package. It also
has been reviewed and approved by the Venice Commission, as both main
political groupings had asked for.
The reform package is considered key to fighting corruption at all levels, especially the judiciary.
Basha and his governing Socialist counterpart, Prime Minister Edi Rama are expected to meet Monday.
In
her call to Basha, Nuland urged them to use the meeting "to agree to
quick passage of a meaningful and comprehensive judicial reform
package," as it is strongly supported among the Albanian people.
No comments:
Post a Comment