Albania pledged to build a political consensus behind the reforms it needs to win European Union candidate status following last weekend's mayoral elections, according to dpa. EU officials had said the polls had to be "free and fair" if Albania, a NATO member, wanted to be considered for candidate status later this year and urged the main parties to start talking to each other to push forward EU-oriented reforms. "I'm deeply convinced that after these elections there will be a wave of reflection among political elites in the country that will lead us to satisfying all the criteria (set by the EU)," Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto told reporters. "We plan to launch a nationwide action aimed at political reconciliation to build political agreement," he said after talks with Poland's foreign minister. He did not elaborate. Boycotts of Albania's parliament by the Socialist opposition along with a general lack of cooperation mean key laws requiring three fifths of votes have not been passed. Observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Sunday's elections were "competitive and transparent", despite problems during the buildup to the polls and vote counting afterwards.
