Head of OSCE Presence in Albania urges all sides to make further progress on electoral reform

TIRANA, 10 November 2011 - The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth issued the following statement today:

"I note that the electoral reform process is still not properly underway. Now is the time to put a firm line over the past in the interests of all Albanian citizens. Now is the time to see Albanian political parties match their words with real and concrete actions. Albania urgently needs an electoral reform. A committee needs to be established as soon as possible. I commend all political sides for the level of cross party dialogue that has taken place over the last days. I now urge everyone to move that extra step so that an electoral reform process can finally begin.

"Political parties should aim at enacting the necessary legislative changes to reflect relevant recommendations made by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights as well as other international standards for democratic elections. The OSCE Presence stands ready to contribute to the electoral reform process."