Head of OSCE Presence in Albania commends decision to establish committee on electoral reform

TIRANA, 17 November 2011 - The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth issued the following statement today:

“Albania has chosen to take a constructive path forward. I welcome the formal decision by the Albanian Assembly to establish an ad hoc committee on electoral reform and I commend all political sides for having engaged in the necessary cross-party dialogue to reach this decision. It is an encouraging beginning. Now it is important that all political sides continue working in true partnership to make real and substantive progress in furthering the electoral reform and the wider reform agenda.

"I urge the members of the committee to ensure that debates and decision-making processes are open, inclusive, constructive and transparent. The political parties should now support the enacting of the necessary legislative changes to reflect the recommendations made by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights as well as other relevant international standards for democratic elections.

"I urge the leaders of the main political parties to ensure that the process now underway delivers solid and long-lasting reform by spring 2012 based on a wide consensus. The OSCE Presence stands ready to further contribute to the electoral reform process and other parts of the reform agenda according to its mandate.”