EU urges Albania to improve voting system
17.09.2009
Albania needs to take further steps to reduce the "politicisation" of its electoral process, the EU warned in a statement from the Swedish government - which hold the European Union's rotating presidency. The statement - issued late Wednesday - acknowledged the Balkan country had made progress in its voting system - but said Albania should study the final report from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe that monitored the country's June 28 parliamentary elections.
Albania (9) -- Analyses -- 2009
Albania's membership in EU
17.09.2009
The 27-nation bloc urged "all political parties in Albania to pursue a constructive political dialogue" not the least in the legislature.
Albanian President Bamir Topi on Wednesday tapped Sali Berisha as the country's next prime minister and parliament later approved Berisha's coalition cabinet after a marathon debate.
The opposition Socialist Party rejected the outcome of the election and has boycotted parliament's constitutive session since it began Monday night. Albania joined NATO this year, but its path to EU membership remains blocked most of all by its inability to hold elections up to international standards.
Bulgarian