Democratic Party MPs Ina Zhupa and Ivi Kaso held a meeting with the regional director for Europe of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Scott Bates.

Zhupa, also chairwoman of the Committee on Culture, Tourism and Diaspora, announced that during the meeting, they discussed NDI's programs in support of transparency, inclusiveness and strengthening the role of the Parliament, as well as the challenges that the opposition in Albania faces today in exercising its constitutional function.

"We also discussed electoral standards, the diaspora vote, the need for free and fair elections, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and the importance of a political climate that guarantees equal competition," Zhupa further underlined.

According to her, an important part of the discussion was Albania's European integration process, where it was emphasized that advancing towards the European Union requires not only technical fulfillment of the criteria, but also the real functioning of democracy, the rule of law and respect for political pluralism.

"NDI has made a valuable contribution to parliamentary and democratic life in Albania over the years, and their support for strengthening institutions deserves appreciation," the Democratic MP underlined.