President Tells Albanians Masks Have Fallen Unveiling 14-point Platform

TIRANA – “Every June and every October we have EU exams. And Albania is left with more and more tasks to fulfil,” has said President Ilir Meta in a press conference during which he revealed on Friday that a 14- point draft platform had been sent to Prime Minister Edi Rama since April 8, which was also made available for EU partners and members interested in Albania’s issues.

President Meta made that revelation a day after (Thursday) a string of meetings with Ambassadors of EU member states and the united opposition leaders.

“I must tell you that I have made every effort to better manage the country, but also to create a more positive climate so that they do not forget the June exams,” said Meta who admitted that the recent developments in Albania have shocked the entire European public, not only Albanians and the world, after the demolition of both the National Theatre and any illusion of the existence of rule of law in this Balkan country.

Meta confessed that he had done his best to create that positive climate so that Albania could accomplish as many as possible from 15 conditions set to it by the EU in its drive to join the Union.

The 14- point draft scheme presented during the meeting on Thursday with ambassadors of EU member states touches upon among others on issues related to the electoral reform, Justice Appointments Council (KED), anti-defamation package. According to the draft, Meta demands that the Political Council on the electoral reform be fully decision-making and that the parties complete the electoral reform according to the ODIHR recommendations.

The draft also states that the KED must continue to function, including amending its bylaws, in line with the Venice Commission’s recommendations in the March 6 draft opinion, but the head of KED, Ardian Dovrani should resign.

In the meantime the President considered as a shocking event the demolition of the National Theater for the domestic and international public opinion.

The controversial building of the Theater was destroyed last Sunday morning despite resistance from the Alliance for its protection and civil society which were joined by opposition forces.

Asked on what US Ambassador Yuri Kim hinted on those who wanted to kill justice reform Meta said it was not his job to comment on these statements, adding that he guarantees that the ambassador was not speaking about him.

“It is not my duty to assess these statements. Rest assured that the ambassador was not talking about Ilir Meta. I have met the ambassador several times. I had very good relations with her and I had many meetings. In my obligations I try to be as punctual as possible and not misuse the image of anyone. I am telling you this is the platform that was handed over to the US ambassador and then to the other ambassadors,” said Meta who lashed out at PM Edi Rama for having captured the media and destroyed the rule of law.

“Masks have fallen and Ilir Meta does not play games with the Constitution of Albania or European integration,” noted President Meta.

In a separate event Prime Minister Edi Rama denied on Friday that he had received any platform from President Meta.