Washington – ESI at Congressional Hearing on Albania

Besa Shahini. Photo: US Senate

ESI senior analyst Besa Shahini was invited to give testimony on ESI's research on the political process in Albania prior to the elections in June.

There has always been a risk that Albanian parliamentary elections on 23 June 2013 will fall short of international standards. This would likely precipitate a major political crisis in Albania. Another result would be the loss of any credible prospect of progress towards European integration in the foreseeable future and a spiral of political, social and economic decline in Albania.

To counter this risk, ESI argues in a new paper, Red Lines for Albania. The EU and the June Parliamentary Elections (Vijat e kuqe për Shqipërinë. BE dhe zgjedhjet parlamentare të qershorit), that the international community must take a strong and uncompromising stand on the democratic principles that must be observed. It must take a non-partisan approach of strong support to the rule of law.

The following witnesses testified in the hearing:

• Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
• Gilbert Galanxhi, Ambassador of Albania to the United States of America
• Elez Biberaj, Director, Eurasia Division, Voice of America
• Besa Shahini, Senior Analyst, European Stability Initiative

Background documents

• Video from the hearing (Besa Shahini's testimony starts at 01:24:00)
• ESI discussion paper: Red Lines for Albania. The EU and the June Parliamentary Elections (7 May 2013). Also available in Albanian: Vijat e kuqe për Shqipërinë. BE dhe zgjedhjet parlamentare të qershorit
• U.S. Helsinki Commission, "Democracy in Albania: the Pace of Progress" (6 May 2013)
• Unofficial transcript
• European Union Delegation to the United States of America
• National Democratic Institute (Pre-election Assessment Mission to Albania)

Testimonies

• Hon. Benjamin L. Cardin (Chairman, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe)
• Hon. Robert B. Aderholt (Commissioner, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe)
• Hon. Eliot L. Engel (Ranking Member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs)
• Hon. Michael R. Turner (Chairman, U.S. Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly)
• Philip T. Reeker (Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State)
• Elez Biberaj (Director, Eurasia Division, Voice of America)
• Besa Shahini (Senior Analyst, European Stability Initiative)
• H.E. Mr. Gilbert Galanxhi (Ambassador of Albania to the U.S.A.)

Media reactions

• Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, "Albania: crucial elections for Europe" - interview with Gerald Knaus - (10 May 2013)
• Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, "Albania: le elezioni cruciali per l'Europa" - interview with Gerald Knaus - ("Albania: crucial elections for Europe") (10 May 2013)
• Gazeta Tema, "INTERVISTA/ Shahini: Zgjidhja e krizës në KQZ, rikthimi i anëtarit të larguar në mënyrë joligjore" ("Interview/Shahini: Solving the CEC crisis, reinstating CEC member unlawfully removed") (8 May 2013)
• Gazeta Shqip, ""Vija e kuqe" për zgjedhjet shqiptare, ESI: Dështimi i tyre do të ishte rrënim" (""Red Lines" for Albanian elections, ESI: Their failure will bring crisis") (8 May 2013)
• Voice of America, Keida Kostreci, "Analistja Besa Shahini: Situata me KQZ, sfidë ligjore dhe besueshmërie" ("Analyst Besa Shahini: The Situation with the CEC, challenges Albanian laws and damages trust in elections ") (8 May 2013)
• Top Channel, "Edicioni Informativ" - News show about Besa Shahini's testimony on the upcoming Albanian elections at the US Congress - (7 May 2013)
• Voice of America, Keida Kostreci, "SHBA: Zgjedhjet e qershorit, kritike për të ardhmen e vendit" ("U.S.: June elections critical for the future of the country") (7 May 2013)
• Koha Ditore, "SHBA: Zgjedhjet e qershorit, kritike për të ardhmen e vendit" ("U.S.: June elections critical for the future of the country") (7 May 2013)
• Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Keida Kostreci, "SHBA: Zgjedhjet e qershorit, kritike për të ardhmen e vendit" ("USA: June elections critical for the future of the country") (7 May 2013)
• Top Channel, "Reeker: KQZ mos jetë politike" ("Reeker: CEC should not be political") (7 May 2013)
• Voice of America, Keida Kostreci, "SHBA: Zgjedhjet e qershorit, kritike për të ardhmen e vendit" ("USA: June Elections Critical for the future of the country") (7 May 2013)

Besa Shahini and Elez Biberaj. Photo: US Senate