To compromise or not to compromise ? Albanian politicians between outdated dilemmas and European imperatives

Policy Dialogue on Monday, 3 September 2012, 16.00-18.00 (registration from15.45) at Max Kohnstamm room, Résidence Palace (4th floor), 155 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels.

Over the past year, Albania has focused on delivering a critical mass of reforms that could allow it to advance towards candidate status. The recent adoption of a new electoral code – the latest breakthrough in a series of other concrete steps forward – is a powerful reminder of the difficult path that Albania has travelled from hindering political impasse to constructive inter-party dialogue. The proof of the country’s commitment to European integration now lies in the ability of the main Albanian political parties to sustain and consolidate the efforts of inclusive compromise. Will the government and opposition rise to the challenge of the outstanding reform milestones, especially with regard to the judiciary and the anti-corruption fight ? Or will the shadow of the forthcoming general election in 2013 tempt the Albanian politicians to fall back on bad habits ? And can the EU help the political class in Albania to stay on the integration track ?

These and other questions will be discussed by a distinguished panel that includes Edmond Panariti, Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Majlinda Bregu, Albanian Minister for European Integration, Stefano Sannino, Director General for Enlargement in the European Commission, and Corina Stratulat, EPC Policy Analyst. The event will be chaired by Rosa Balfour, EPC Senior Policy Analys.