EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa addressed an Interparliamentary Conference on Monday, attended by representatives of Albanian institutions, the European Parliament and national parliaments from across Europe.
She said Albania’s path towards the European Union has transformed the country, but stressed that this transformation must continue. She also noted that the strength of a democracy is measured not only by how elections are conducted, but also by the role played by Parliament.
“Through the EU Growth Plan, Albania is already benefiting from some of the advantages currently enjoyed by member states. For us, it is crucial that Albanian citizens feel the benefits of the EU accession process. We want Albania to have strong democratic institutions. Parliament plays a key role in the country’s EU integration process because it is the voice of the citizens and provides a forum for political decisions to be debated.
“This is extremely important as Albania seeks to move forward with reforms. The whole of society must be involved in the integration process. We are here to exchange experiences, knowledge and insights from our daily work.
“Albania’s journey towards the EU has transformed the country, but this transformation must continue. For decades, Albanian citizens have placed their trust in the EU. The destination is about more than membership; it is about a Europe that is more resilient to threats,” she said.
“Any assessment of the state of a democracy is not based solely on how elections are organised. As the Prime Minister mentioned, freedom of speech, as well as freedom of access, is essential. But democracy is also assessed by how Parliament fulfils its role, the independence and accountability of institutions, transparency, decision-making, and the space available for political debate. Parliament is, of course, indispensable to a successful accession process,” she added.
The post EU Ambassador: Democracy is measured not only by elections, but also by Parliament’s role appeared first on Euronews Albania.
