Following yesterday's developments in the Parliament, where the session that was planned as a marathon for discussions and approval of the government's program was closed for 25 minutes amid chaos and the opposition blocking the floor, the EU delegation that was present at the session has reacted.
Reaction to Top Channel:
Parliament should be a forum for constructive debate, where policies are discussed and alternative views are presented, thus promoting a culture of dialogue.
In the context of accession, Parliament has a crucial role to play in debating and adopting EU-related legislative reforms, assessing their impacts and ensuring that they are based on an inclusive and transparent process.
The debate on the new government's programme for the next four years would have provided an important opportunity to discuss different views and approaches to the objective of membership, which remains a cross-party ambition. It is regrettable that the Albanian public was deprived of the opportunity to be properly and fully informed about the Government's programme and to hear its elected representatives discuss its content, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The EU Delegation in Tirana will continue its commitment to strengthening the role of parliament as an institution that promotes and embodies open and inclusive political dialogue. We believe that all Albanian political parties and all sectors of society will be able and willing to play their part in contributing to Albania's progress towards meeting the requirements of EU membership.