Washington – ESI at Congressional Hearing on Albania

6 May 2013
Besa Shahini. Photo: US Senate
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

Testimonies

Media reactions

Besa Shahini and Elez Biberaj. Photo: US Senate
Besa Shahini and Elez Biberaj. Photo: US Senate