The senior DP officials briefed Commissioner Kos on the developments in Albania, assuring her that the opposition backs the integration process, “as it was the Democratic Party that started this process, and it will be the Democratic Party that will conclude it.”

DP officials stated that this process should be based on laws and tangible reforms, rather than being seen as a gift from the European Union.

During the discussion, the DP MPs briefed the senior European Union official on “the majority’s effort to dilute the opposition’s role in Parliament and its refusal to enforce the rulings of the Constitutional Court.”

The Parliamentary Elections were the highlight of the discussion. Marta Kos was informed of the opposition’s concerns “regarding the use of the administration and state resources, pressure on voters, the use of artificial measures to hinder the free registration of voters in the diaspora, as well as the involvement of organized crime in the process.”

DP officials expressed that “the opposition is under attack and that Prime Minister Edi Rama is using the justice system for this purpose.”

“The opposition leader, Sali Berisha, was placed under house arrest for over a year without any facts or evidence. The former President of the country and leader of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta, was arrested in blatant violation of human rights, while the deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Group, Ervin Salianji, is serving time simply for exposing the majority’s ties to organized crime,” they emphasized.

Tabaku, Gjekmarkaj, and Bardhi asked Commissioner Kos to ensure that, with the opening of the fundamentals cluster, which includes even the elections, the European Union will take close note of this process.

/sm/