EU warns opposition of undermining Albania’s EU pathway

TIRANA, Albania – A senior European Union official says the parliamentary boycott by opposition parties in Albania seriously undermines the country’s path to potential membership of the bloc.

Christian Danielsson, who leads the EU’s enlargement negotiations, met in Tirana with political leaders and said the boycott by the centre-right Democratic Party-led opposition is “counter-productive and undermines Albania’s efforts with reforms.”

The opposition accuses the Socialist government of Prime Minister Edi Rama of corruption and crime links. It wants early election.

The governing Socialists hold 74 seats in the 140-seat parliament.

Albania hopes to launch membership negotiations with the EU in June.