OSCE Gives Albania Two Years to Reform

OSCE Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth | Photo courtesy of OSCE

“If you really want to show the Albanian public and your international partners that you take your responsibilities and obligations seriously, then we need to see a swift and permanent return to the language of dialogue as well as a sincere willingness to compromise in order to move forward with the reform agenda.”

So writes OSCE ambassador Eugen Wollfarth in a toughly worded report on the politically deadlocked country, which was sent to the OSCE council on Thursday.

Two decades after the fall of the Communist regime, Albania’s transition to democracy remains nightmarishly fraught.

Since the disputed 2009 parliamentary elections Albania political climate has been tense, with violent protests in the street and the opposition in and out of parliament several times.

The standoff has poisoned the political climate and has halted the reforms needed to expedite Albania’s progress towards EU membership.

According to Wollfarth with presidential elections due in 2012 and parliamentary elections in 2013, the window of opportunity for the passage of reforms between now and mid-2013 is small.

“Unless the fullest use is made of what remains of 2011 and 2012 by the Albanian political leaders, there is every chance of the political impasse continuing until the 2013 parliamentary elections.” Wollfarth warns.
 
“The next year will provide some answers as to which direction political leaders wish to take Albania – in the direction of reform, progress and national prosperity or into a downward spiral of delay, stagnation and political rancour,” he adds.