Albania takes over OSCE chairmanship

O The SEU has its headquarters in Vienna, while 57 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia are part of the organization. OSCE tasks are numerous from election monitoring, the fight for press freedom, protection of minority rights to the observer mission east of Ukraine and other missions.

“Albania is determined to contribute its contribution to the stability and security of the province”, Foreign Minister Gent Cakaj's task fraud in July in Vienna.

Crisis in Albania

This Balkan country is currently in crisis due to disagreements between political forces over many things. Democracy in Albania has not completely stabilised even 30 years after the fall of the communist regime. The OSCE itself has a mission to Tirana, to monitor the state of democracy in this country. This mission engages in easing the crisis and strengthening the country's institutions, in a permanent conflict between position and opposition, where some institutions have been blocked for years.

Prime Minister Edi Rama from the Socialist Party currently heads the parliamentary majority, but the Democratic Party has burned its mandates in Parliament last year and boycotts the highest institution. The Democratic Party has also boycotted last year's local elections, due to allegations of manipulation of the last parliamentary elections. This party has called for Rama's departure from power. Observers say Albania has major problems with corruption and organised crime.

If we look at OSCE tasks and the situation in Albania, then we have a paradoxical situation: Albania is also under OSCE observation, while now it must lead it”, Kosovo-renowned publicist Veton Surroi claims. / DW