Albania passes EU integration laws to clinch candidate status

Albania's ruling Democratic Party and its main rival the opposition Socialist Party took a brief pause in their heated electoral campaign on Thursday to pass three laws key to the Balkan nation's path to seek candidate status from the European Union. One of the laws regulated the activity of the Supreme Court, the other the status of civil servants and the third was a reform of parliamentary procedure. The government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha accused the opposition of harming Albania's interest after it refused to approve the laws. The opposition Socialist Party dropped its opposition after Berisha's key ally over the past four years, the Socialist Integration Movement party, quit Berisha's coalition to join the Socialists ahead of June 23 parliamentary elections. SIM urged them to vote the laws on the grounds that there was still time for the European Commission before it prepared its progress report for Albania. The Socialists agreed on condition the laws became effective on October 1 when the new parliament would be in session. "Today, 236 days after (Socialist Party leader) Edi Rama blocked them, parliament voted the three laws. This is a victory for all those who fought every day for their approval and who dreamt of the EU, the prettiest project for their future," Berisha said after the vote. Ditmir Bushati, the Socialist politician in charge of European affairs, hit back. "Berisha should apologize for not achieving any of the standards set by the European Union," he said. Although the discussion in parliament turned briefly into a election campaign rhetoric, the laws passed without any hitches. However, the Socialists did not vote with the Democrats to approve a delay until the year's end of an amnesty for unpaid taxes and tariffs. Both the EU and the U.S., which have urged Albania to hold free and fair elections if it wants to be given candidate status, hailed the passage of the laws. "The approval of these laws is very important not only because it was asked by Brussels but also because it demonstrates the capacity to work together (of the rival parties) when they have the interest of the country at heart," the EU ambassador Ettore Sequi told reporters. Sequi recalled European Enlargement Commissioner Stephan Fuele had said it was critical Albania approved the laws and achieved credible results in the fight against crime and corruption. The quality of parliamentary elections on June 23 was also very important, he said. The U.S. Embassy also welcome the consensus on the laws. "We encourage the next parliament and government to dedicate themselves to fulfilling the remaining priorities and other necessary reforms through consensus and cooperation in order to earn a positive opinion from the European Union," the U.S. said.