Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku commented on the European Commission's progress report on Albania. She highlighted that the document highlights issues related to corruption, the functioning of institutions, media freedom and the rule of law.
According to her, the report calls for more Europe and a radical change in the way the Albanian state functions.
"There are no EU funds without EU institutions and values. IPARD is the best example of this," said Tabaku.
According to Tabaku, the progress report clearly expresses concerns about corruption and the lack of political will to fight it effectively.
"On corruption issues, the government has the political will to become the public and legal advocate of corruption. Regarding media freedom, where all of you are first-hand witnesses and have been the object of violence yourself, the report clearly shows regression," said Tabaku. Tabaku said that Albania needs deep reforms in the functioning of institutions and political life.
"Today Albania needs a comprehensive reform of how the state functions. It needs an electoral reform, for a genuine political dialogue, for the Parliament to first believe in equality before the law and secondly that the citizen who is arrested and dragged through the streets is treated the same as the official who is involved in corruption, but unfortunately is given political protection. Albanians who are in the streets are demanding more Europe. The progress report demands more Europe. In all its demands, the progress report demands that the way institutions function be changed", said Tabaku.
