Prime Minister Edi Rama has acknowledged the problems identified by the European Commission in the Progress Report for Albania, focusing on shortcomings in the justice system, corruption, media freedom and allegations of excessive use of force by the police during protests.
During the joint press conference with the European Union Ambassador to Tirana, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, after the submission of the Progress Report, the head of government described the document as the most positive assessment that Albania has ever received on the path towards European integration.
However, Rama acknowledged that the report also highlights a number of serious concerns, including delays in judicial processes, the handling of corruption cases, attempts to exert undue influence on justice institutions, parliamentary oversight, and media freedom.
The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the protests of recent months, for which the European Commission has raised concerns regarding violent incidents and allegations of disproportionate use of force by the State Police.
"The report raises concerns about parliamentary oversight, media freedom. It also addresses the protests of recent months, pointing to the scars of violence, citing allegations of excessive use of force by the police. Meanwhile, dialogue is highlighted as the path we must seriously engage on," Rama declared.
The head of government emphasized that none of the issues identified in the Brussels document should be overlooked, while demanding the investigation of any suspected case of excessive force by police officers.
"The right to protest must be guaranteed, violence must be punished morally and legally. Any claim of excessive force by the police must be investigated. Dialogue is a condition for coexistence. We as a government have a clear responsibility to enable it," the prime minister said.
Rama underlined that Albania's progress towards the European Union does not exclude the existence of problems that require intervention and concrete solutions.
"As you can see, I'm not just talking about the bright side of this report, which is brighter than ever, but also about the dark side of this coin," he declared.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister emphasized that Albania's European future now depends on fulfilling the obligations and required reforms, declaring that "today fate is entirely in our hands."
