Question: Can you tell us what will happen if the Socialist Party does not vote today the draft laws that are required for the EU candidate status? Will this be a disappointment for the internationals who expect more from the Albanian opposition?

Ambassador Wollfarth: “It would be a disappointment, first of all for the Albanians themselves, because we understand that the European integration path is a national goal. The OSCE Presence through the mandate helps to provide the foundations to make reform progress possible. We contribute largely, but in the end this is a decision that the country, Albania, has to take and this decision has to be taken in the parliament. I sure hope that this decision comes today. The reforms then afterwards will have to continue, because the list is much longer and next year will be again also a decisive year, because we will see general elections. So I would invite to take any reforms timely. In this case, the European Commission had highlighted these three laws and I again would join those inviting, because I have repeatedly stated this, also earlier this week, in making good use of the time and to come to a timely decision, and today is the day.”

Q: Do you consider it fair that a local issue, such as Fier, is put in front of the national priorities of all Albanians?

Ambassador Wollfarth: “When a national question is at stake, the decision should come with view on the international context and today is the day of the decision.”

Q: What can Albania face if the three draft laws are not approved today?

Ambassador Wollfarth: “Next year is an election year, but then more time apparently will be needed to move ahead on the European integration path and that could mean also that the time that is passing by is no so well invested in the reform process. I am an international, but from my point of view the Albanian people deserve progress, they also deserve the framework of the progress. An extremely important part of that framework is laws. Together with the law the rule of law, so therefore the future of Albania will continue no matter what happens today, but it will be an earlier and better future if the right decisions take place today.