High Representatives of the European Union, Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell and European Union Enlargement Commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi spoke Monday at the conference in Brussels about the issue of vote buying and the April 25 elections in Albania.

Commissioner Borrell said that they have encouraged Prime Minister Edi Rama to follow all aspects covering the recommendations of the OSCE-ODIHR and the Venice Commission.

"Regarding the elections, we understand that the practical preparations for the next elections are underway. We have encouraged the Prime Minister to follow all aspects covering the recommendations of the OSCE-ODIHR and the Venice Commission.

Regarding the specific issue of vote buying, let me tell you that the recent EC report on Albania highlighted a transparent investigation into allegations of alleged election violations. Likewise, the Council decision in March 2020, emphasizes that the initiation of legal proceedings against those accused of vote buying is one of the issues that should be reflected in the reflective framework. This is the official position of the Council and the Commission ", declared Borrel.

On his part, Commissioner Varhelyi said that there are sufficient guarantees in the system, mentioning the agreement of June 5, the recommendations of ODIHR and then the participation of observers in the elections.

"What I can tell you is that we are approaching elections that have been prepared in a very comprehensive way. First, we have had an agreement between parliamentary and extra-parliamentary parties on the electoral reform. This is a new element compared to previous elections. This brings guarantees for irregularities in the voting process. It is treated as a major issue in the ODIHR recommendations. This was then followed by the opinion of the Venice Commission on which the government and the parties agreed. The third is the participation of observers in the elections. Observers have been invited, but on our part we will help the observers to come, to be present. Sufficient guarantees are provided in the system.

For the vote buying, we will see if there will be field action. We want the law to be implemented in full force. We want to see all efforts made by the election organizers against vote buying", said Varhelyi.