Reform of the judiciary is a key condition set by the EU for starting accession talks. The Democrats would never agree to vetting of judges "to protect yourself and your ministers", he said. Mogherini told NATO member Albania it had a real chance of clinching accession talks once the vetting process started. "Boycott of the parliament means blocking the establishment of the (judicial) vetting commissions and de facto stops Albania's progress towards the European Union." A European diplomat said western countries were worried by the opposition boycott and had encouraged dialogue, because "there appeared to be no exit strategy for Basha".

Source: The Star March 04, 2017 13:41 UTC