EU ambassador in Tirana: Albania’s Parliament should not pass laws without meaningful consultation with interest groups! The process must be transparent

The European Union ambassador in Tirana, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, has called for the process of drafting and approving laws in Albania to be transparent and inclusive.

During the 22nd meeting of the EU–Albania Parliamentary Stabilisation and Association Committee, the ambassador stressed that the speed of passing laws, as part of the country’s EU accession process, should not come at the expense of parliamentary oversight and a public, transparent process.

According to her, reforms can deliver results when laws are drafted properly and after a thorough consultation process with interest groups.

“Everything starts with good laws; there must be meaningful consultation before they are approved,” the ambassador said.

She also underlined that reforms related to the European Union affect every aspect of citizens’ lives, from environmental management to education.

For this reason, she said, the process must include all of society, including civil society and the private sector.

“Speed (in passing laws) must not undermine parliamentary oversight and the public and transparent lawmaking process, because the benefits of reforms will be felt if laws are well drafted and well-founded. Everything starts with good laws; there must be meaningful consultation before they are approved. EU-related reforms affect every aspect of life, from environmental management to education, and affect every citizen. For this reason, we must have an approach that includes all of society—civil society oversight, the private sector… everyone must have the opportunity to have their say,” the ambassador said.