WASHINGTON – The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) today announced the following hearing:
Democracy in Albania: the Pace of Progress
Monday, May 6, 2013
3:00 p.m.
Capitol Visitor Center, Senate Room 210-212
Prior to 1991, Albania was ruled by one of the communist world’s most repressive regimes and was the only country in Europe refusing to participate in the Helsinki process. In the two decades since, the country made enormous strides to become a democratic state where human rights are respected and to become an active participant in European affairs, including as a member of the NATO Alliance since 2009.
Despite this progress, Albania continues to struggle in building its democratic institutions and practices, including respect for the rule of law. As Albania prepares for parliamentary elections in June, this hearing hopes to assess the degree to which progress has begun to fall short of expectations at home and abroad, and what can be done to accelerate the pace of further reforms related to good governance.
The following witnesses are scheduled to testify:
Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Gilbert Galanxhi, Ambassador of Albania to the United States of America
Elez Biberaj, Director, Eurasia Division, Voice of America
Besa Shahini, Senior Analyst, European Stability Initiative
This event is open to the public. Room SVC 210-212 is located on the Senate side of the Capitol Visitor Center, the main entrance to the U.S. Capitol. You may enter on the north side, below the East Plaza of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues (across the street from the Supreme Court). The closest metro stop is Capitol South (orange or blue line).
Please allow adequate time to clear through the security check. On the lower level, visitors will need to show a picture ID at the Senate appointment desk before proceeding to the Senate rooms.
Map of the Capitol:
http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/visit/us_capitol_map/index.html
Map of the Visitor Center:
http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/visit/visitor_center_map/index.html
