Parliamentary question - E-001754/2024(ASW)Parliamentary question
E-001754/2024(ASW)
European Parliament

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission

18.12.2024

Written question

Albania held regular local elections on 14 May 2023 in all of its municipalities. Elections were assessed by observers as ‘well-administered, competitive and with the participation of key political forces’, as also noted by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)[1].

The EU continues to monitor electoral developments in Albania and to encourage Albanian authorities to address all outstanding recommendations from the ODIHR and the Venice Commission on the electoral law and the electoral administration in Albania, in order to align them with the principles of the European electoral heritage.

The EU attaches great importance to the respect of rule of law and fundamental rights. Through the enlargement process and the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement[2], the EU is closely following reforms on the rule of law, the strengthening and protection of the fundamental rights in Albania and provides policy recommendations in that regard. The Commission will continue to closely monitor electoral developments in Albania.

Moreover, as from 2024 Albania also participates in the annual Rule of Law Report. In its 2024 Rule of law Report, Country Chapter in Albania, the Commission found that overall corruption is prevalent in many areas, including during electoral campaigns, and found that preventive measures suffer from an overly complex legal framework and continue to have a limited impact, particularly in vulnerable sectors[3].

As part of the European integration process of Albania, the EU closely monitors and supports the consolidation of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in the country.

Last updated: 13 January 2025
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