Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku says the European Commission’s latest progress report on Albania confirms opposition concerns over EU integration, the rule of law and democracy.

Speaking at a press conference in parliament, Tabaku said citizens had protested peacefully for more than 150 days against a system that had impoverished people and weakened democracy. She said the protests opposed four laws that the opposition believes conflict with Albania’s EU integration commitments.

These concern protected areas, strategic investments, the Mountain Package and the strategic port project. Tabaku said the measures conflict with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and hinder the integration process.

She urged the government to prioritise credible reforms and their effective implementation over speed. Tabaku also called for dialogue with citizens and the opposition, warning against measures that undermine democracy, local government and the rule of law.

She criticised the territorial reform, which parliament approved with only governing majority votes. Tabaku said the European Commission had previously called for dialogue with the opposition to secure consensus. She also warned against a similar approach to electoral reform, saying the process should produce an agreement accepted by all political parties.

/a.p./