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In a significant development, the European Parliament Committee on Stabilization and Association between the EU and Albania approved a new resolution for Albania on Monday. The resolution calls for a functional parliament, political inclusiveness in electoral reform, and a more robust parliamentary oversight role over the government.
Proposed amendments by opposition representatives within the joint delegation in Brussels were also accepted, delivering strong messages to Albania regarding its integration process with the European Union.
The resolution underscores the pivotal role of the Parliament in the European integration process and the enforcement of the rule of law. It urges a stronger parliamentary function to encourage opposition involvement and the use of all available means to strengthen government accountability.
"The crucial function of parliament's control and balance is emphasized, highlighting the need for investigative committees; recalling that the new law on parliamentary investigative committees was adopted without consensus; encouraging the use of various supervisory tools, including investigative committees, interpellations, and motions with debates...," states the resolution.
During the hearing session, the head of the Democratic Party (PD) parliamentary group, Gazment Bardhi, raised concerns about the unilateral change in the law and the denial of the opposition's constitutional right to establish investigative committees.
Another amendment expresses regret "for the harsh political polarization affecting society as a whole" and calls for an all-encompassing political dialogue for electoral reform.
The European Parliament expresses regret for the lack of progress from the ad hoc committee for electoral reform and "stresses the key importance of involving all voices from the opposition in the electoral reform process to ensure a genuinely representative and inclusive approach."
In an environmental amendment, the EU calls on Albania to prioritize environmental protection, especially concerning changes to the environmental map. It urges a review of environmental impact assessments for major projects and public consultations before significant initiatives.
"The importance of preserving protected environmental areas and sustainable tourism is emphasized, advocating for development that balances economic growth with ecological preservation," the amendment further states.
However, Socialist Party deputy Arben Pëllumbi defended a new majority-backed bill during the session that opened the door to tourist and economic developments within protected areas.
Moreover, the resolution calls for sustainable efforts in the fight against corruption and organized crime, urging the avoidance of political interference in the justice system.
"It expresses concern that corruption is widespread in many areas of public life and business and that preventive measures continue to have limited impact, especially in vulnerable sectors," the resolution concludes.