Upcoming elections in Albania are crucial for democracy, EU officials say

Two EU top officials said on Monday that the parliamentary elections in Albania on June 23 represent a crucial test for the country’s democratic institutions and its progress towards the European Union.

“We continue to monitor closely the preparations of the elections stressing the need to hold them in line with international and European standards,” High Representative Catherine Ashton and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule said in a joint statement.

“We recall that it is the joint responsibility of all Albanian political leaders and parties to reinforce the confidence and trust of the public in the electoral process and create conditions for election results to be accepted by all,” added the statement.