The parliamentary group leader of the Democratic Party (PD), Gazment Bardhi, announced that two American Republican congressmen have addressed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to request clarification regarding concerns about corruption at high levels of government in Albania. According to Bardhi, the focus of the U.S. lawmakers’ request is Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku and former head of the State Intelligence Service, Vlora Hyseni.
The two congressmen, who chair the Helsinki Commission in the U.S. and the Subcommittee on Europe in Congress respectively, have asked the American administration to also consider imposing visa restrictions on Albanian officials for whom there is credible information of involvement in significant corruption.
In his reaction, Bardhi describes this development as a signal that concerns about corruption at the highest levels of power in Albania are also drawing attention in American institutions.
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CORRUPTION IN ALBANIA ON THE RADAR OF THE U.S. CONGRESS!
The chairman of the Helsinki Commission in the U.S. and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe in Congress, two American Republican congressmen, have addressed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, requesting clarification on concerns about corruption at high levels of government in Albania. The focus of their request is Belinda Balluku and former head of the State Intelligence Service, Vlora Hyseni.
The two U.S. lawmakers are asking that the American administration also consider the possibility of imposing visa restrictions on Albanian officials for whom there is credible information of involvement in significant corruption.
This is a clear signal that concerns about corruption at the highest levels of power in Albania are receiving attention even in the most important institutions of the United States. Accountability, transparency and the fight against corruption cannot remain mere political promises, but must become non-negotiable standards of governance.
Albania has important international friends and partners. True friendship with the U.S. is strengthened through accountable institutions, the rule of law and an uncompromising fight against corruption, regardless of anyone’s name or position.