OSCE Chairman calls on Albanian parties to work together on electoral reform

TIRANA, 22 October 2004 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, called on Albania's political parties to work together on important electoral reforms and pledged the support of the OSCE in this process.

During a visit to Tirana on Thursday, Minister Passy welcomed the positive developments in Albania and expressed support for the efforts of political leaders to integrate the country into NATO and the EU.

The Chairman-in-Office encouraged all parties to reach a compromise in agreeing on the composition of a new Central Election Commission in line with recommendations from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.

"Successful completion of the reforms will be an important step towards ensuring free and fair elections in 2005. Their conduct in line with the internationally recognised standards will determine the pace of Albania's association with the EU."

The Chairman-in-Office encouraged political leaders to make more effort to find solutions to other outstanding electoral reform issues such as the improvement of voters' lists, rules on campaign finance and the reform of the middle and lower level electoral commissions.

Minister Passy also discussed border security, the development of civil society in Albania and freedom of the media.

In Tirana, the OSCE Chairman was received by President Alfred Moisiu and had talks with Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Foreign Minister Kastriot Islami and opposition leaders Sali Berisha, Fatmir Mediu, Ekrem Spahiu and others.