Albania-EU Stabilization Committee urges unity as EU talks near final chapter
With accession negotiations entering their final chapter, Albania’s Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee closed its two-day session in Tirana by calling for intensified reforms and cross-party cooperation to push forward the EU integration process.
Why is this important: This marked one of the strongest public endorsements yet for political unity on EU matters, with both government and opposition members praising the national consensus behind membership goals—even as sharp disagreements flared over justice issues and electoral legitimacy.
Context: During the session, co-chair Taulant Balla emphasized the need for solid laws and consistent enforcement.
“We agree on the need for sound legislation and its sustained, intensified implementation. The committee welcomes Albania’s unwavering commitment to EU membership and the admirable cross-party consensus despite other political differences,” Balla said.
However, consensus frayed when the discussion turned to corruption cases. Opposition leader Gazment Bardhi criticized the government for keeping Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku in office while she is reportedly under investigation for alleged violations in public tenders.
“The government’s No. 2 is under investigation for millions in procurement abuses. Yet she remains by Rama’s side,” Bardhi stated.
Balla responded by rejecting political interference in judicial matters and called on the opposition to support a resolution reinforcing the independence of justice institutions.
“Let’s not support justice only when it targets our rivals, and reject it when it involves us. This is where we must separate party from country,” he said.
Electoral legitimacy dispute: Tensions also rose over the final OSCE/ODIHR report on the May 11 local elections. Bardhi cited the report and EU Parliament observations as proof the vote was neither free nor fair.
“These reports show our Parliament and Government lack democratic legitimacy,” he said.
Balla pushed back, urging MPs to let European institutions interpret such reports.
“I have made that mistake in opposition. But this is a historic moment—let’s see EU membership as a win for Albania, not just for the ruling majority,” he added.
What else: Balla backed an opposition proposal to restructure Parliament into two chambers, encouraging formal discussion within the electoral reform commission.
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