WRITTEN QUESTION E-3349/00

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Strengthening democratic institutions and promoting respect for ethnic minorities in Albania

During the recent local elections in Albania, there were reports of many instances of psychological duress being brought to bear in the southern part of the country where the country's Greek minority are in the majority. In the Chimara region, a great many irregularities, including ballot-rigging, affecting the candidates of the human rights party Omonia (KEAD), which represents the Greek minority, were recorded by foreign observers and reported by members of the Greek community.

What measures will the Commission take to consolidate the democratic institutions, establish the rule of law, and promote respect for minorities in Albania, which are preconditions for that country's participation in European institutions?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3349/00 and P-3389/00 given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2000)

The Commission is aware of the irregularities and shortcomings in the October 2000 local elections in Albania namely during the second round of these elections reported by the election monitoring mission carried out jointly by the Organisation for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Office of democratic institutions and human rights (ODIHR) and the Council of Europe. In particular, the Commission shares the concern expressed by the Honourable Members concerning the irregularities in the Himara area and a campaign marked by a nationalist tone and intimidation against a candidate of the party of the Greek minority and its potential voters. The Commission takes the view that the government of Albania must ensure that all irregularities are fully investigated in accordance with the rule of law and the new electoral code. It also must follow the relevant recommendations made by the OSCE and ODIHR to provide for effective means for redress and to ensure an appropriate functioning of the Central Election Commission.

The macro-financial assistance adopted by the Council in April 1999 is linked to the respect by Albania of human rights and democratic principles and can be suspended by the Community. This assistance is currently not being implemented pending the agreement by the Albanian authorities on certain technical implementation details.

At present, no formal Council mandate exists for the Commission to negotiate a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Albania. The respect of human rights and democratic principles, also in the context of the holding of elections, constitutes of course an essential element within theEU Stabilisation and Association Process, including the consideration of a future possible opening of negotiations for such agreement.

A comprehensive Community assistance package to support institution building, human rights and minority rights and the rule of law is already in place in Albania in the area of police, public administration and judiciary in order to help the country to meet European standards. In addition, assistance to non-governmental organisations is provided under the European initiative for democracy and human rights. Projects include raising awareness on the role of human rights in building a civil society, production of radio and television programmes promoting tolerance, and supporting journalist networks. Within the framework of the stability pact for South-Eastern Europe, Albania equally is involved in specific activities aiming at promoting minority rights at regional level.