B4-0735, 0791 and 0813/96

Resolution on the elections in Albania

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Albania and on relations between the EU and Albania,

- having regard to the statement by the Presidency of the Council of 31 May 1996 calling for part of the elections to be re-held,

A. whereas, according to the reports of international observers, in particular those from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a series of serious violations against Albania's own election law as well as serious cases of intimidation of voters and polling commission officials took place,

B. whereas nine opposition parties withdrew from the elections in protest on the night of the elections and that opposition parties also boycotted the second round of elections on 2 June 1996,

C. whereas the electoral committee in Tirana declared the result of the elections invalid in 17 out of 115 constituencies, and that President Berisha set a new date for elections, which took place on 16 June, in these 17 constituencies,

D. deeply concerned at statements by the opposition parties asserting that the partial repetition of the elections is not sufficient and announcing their continuation of the boycott,

E. concerned by the outbreak of violent clashes between the police and pro- democracy demonstrators following the elections,

F. underlining the importance of a fair electoral process in establishing a full democracy in Albania,

G. whereas the Commission will be submitting to the Council a proposal for a mandate to negotiate a new agreement with Albania to replace the 1992 trade and cooperation agreement and forge stronger links in terms of political dialogue; whereas Albania is a full member of the Council of Europe,

1. Reiterates its support for the process of democratization in Albania but believes that the unfortunate events that took place during these elections represent a clear setback for the development of a full democracy and respect for the rule of law;

2. Condemns the violations of the democratic electoral process in Albania;

3. Urges the President of Albania to annul the result of these elections and to organize, as soon as possible, new elections in conformity with international democratic standards;

4. Appeals to the government and the opposition parties to resume political dialogue in order to find a solution to the current institutional crisis;

5. Calls on the Council to make clear to the Albanian authorities the European Union's insistence that the elections in Albania should be organized with full respect for international standards and that this is a condition for any future negotiations on closer cooperation with the European Union;

6. Calls on the Albanian Government to release political prisoners, to guarantee the conditions for the media to function freely and independently and to abolish the death penalty;

7. Urges the Commission and the Council to postpone all further cooperation between the European Union and Albania until respect for democracy and human rights in this country is restored and new elections have taken place in conformity with international democratic standards;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Albanian Government and the President of the Republic of Albania.