Press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

VIENNA, 25 February 2011 - The following is a press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on 18 February. The views expressed in this press release do not necessarily reflect those of the OSCE Chairmanship, nor of all OSCE participating States.

Special Rep. Battelli Concludes visit to Albania

18 February 2011 -- Parliamentary and constitutional institutions are the places to resolve the current political impasse in Tirana, OSCE PA Special Representative on South East Europe Roberto Battelli (Slovenia) said today after a three-day visit to the Albanian capital.

“Disagreements with the government and even deep distrust in elections do not justify blocking the work of the constitutional institutions, and the death of four Albanians should make everybody reconsider their actions," said Mr. Battelli after meetings with President of Parliament Jozefina Topalli, other leading parliamentarians, the chairman of the Central Election Commission and representatives of civil society. Mr. Battelli also received a thorough briefing by the Head of the OSCE Presence in Tirana, Amb.Eugen Wollfahrt.

Mr. Battelli discussed the recent violence in the capital and steps that could lead Albania out of the current impasse created by continuous political boycotts. In his talks, Mr. Battelli reconfirmed the 2009 post-election statement delivered by the Special OSCE Coordinator PA Vice President Wolfgang Grossruck (Austria) urging the political parties to cooperate in implementing the recommendations from the Final Report.

“Political disputes need to be discussed and settled in competent institutions, in particular the parliament,” Mr. Battelli said. “All parties should exercise their political work peacefully within existing structures.”

He also called upon political leaders to perform their duties in preparing for the upcoming local elections.

“Citizens should not be deprived of their right to participate in the election as scheduled,” Mr. Battelli said. Saying the government has a particular responsibility to deescalate existing conflicts, Mr. Battelli urged mutual restraint in political rhetoric and expressed his hope for a quick conclusion of the investigation of the violent incidents.

Mr. Battelli, who also serves as OSCE PA Treasurer, will give a full report on his activities to the Standing Committee 25 February in Vienna.