Speaking at a press conference as OSCE/ODIHR opened the election observation mission in Albania, Ambassador Zannier was asked about role of the Special Anticrime and Anticorruption Prosecution Structure (SPAK) in investigating electoral offenses.

Ambassador said he has yet to learn about SPAK’s initiative since he arrived a day ago in Albania.

“Our findings will always be included on our reports. We are definitely committed to cooperating with local authorities and we will certainly perform by cooperating consistently with them. However, our findings regarding election irregularities will be included in our reports,” he stated.

Zanier underlined that the mission will also observe implementation of the previous OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. He added that the mission and political and institutional stakeholders had discussed the unfulfilled ODIHR recommendations, the legal framework and its enforcement.

The OSCE/ODIHR mission will  closely monitor electoral developments in Albania, ensuring a transparent process in line with international standards.

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The meeting focused on the state of play of preparation for elections day, in particular election observation.

“Diplomatic watch will as usual be deployed and the EU stands ready to assist the mission,” EU Ambassador Luigi Soreca said.

“I met Ambassador Jozefa Gacek who leads OSCE/ODIHR mission to Albania in view of 25 April elections. We discussed the state of play of preparation for elections day, in particular election observation. Diplomatic watch will as usual be deployed and the EU stands ready to assist the mission,” EU Ambassador Luigi Soreca said.

Speaking at a press conference to open the observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) for the April 25 parliamentary election, Ambassador Gacek noted that the OSCE expects to see free, fair elections in compliance with the international standards in Albania.”

“We are here at the invitation from Albanian authorities to assess the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation,” Gacek said.

Gacek said the mission will stay in Albania until May 17.

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