EU Ambassador to Tirana, Luigi Soreca expresses concerns about vote-buying process in Albania, stating that it is a criminal offense, provided by the Criminal Code.

Soreca spoke to the media after the meeting with political leaders of the main parties in Elbasan. He stresses that the EU will be monitoring the elections with 40 teams, adding that these elections are important for both Albanians and the EU.

"In our statement, since the start of the election campaign on March 25, we wanted to see a campaign focused on programs, the needs of citizens, and not on attacks and intimidation.

We repeated this message to the leaders, we also listened to their views. What is really important is that the elections be transparent and fair. We heard concerns about vote buying, it is a criminal offense, provided by the Criminal Code.

We will be observing the elections, 40 teams, we will visit the polling stations in the elections. These elections are important for the Albanians in the first place, but also for the EU, as well as for Albania's future in the EU," said Soreca.