OSCE Chairmanship encourages political dialogue in talks with Albanian government and opposition leaders

VILNIUS, 25 January 2011 – Lithuanian Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Evaldas Ignatavičius, speaking on behalf of Lithuania's OSCE Chairmanship, called today on Albania's government and opposition to resume constructive political dialogue as soon as possible and to refrain from holding demonstrations in the coming days in order to avoid raising tensions.

In telephone calls with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama, Ignatavičiussaid that the OSCE regretted the loss of life and the injuries suffered as a political demonstration turned violent last Friday. He expressed condolences to the victims' families and emphasized the need to investigate the events and bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice. 

Dialogue and a will to compromise are needed to resolve existing political differences, he said.

"I encourage Albania's political parties to engage in a constructive and inclusive cross-party dialogue in parliament and other existing democratic national institutions," he said. "Harsh public political rhetoricwould only worsen the situation and must be avoided."

Ignatavičius also stressed that maintaining public order and the rule of law was necessary to preserve citizens' rights.