TIRANA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The political crisis is harming the country's economy and the tourism sector, Albanian President Ilir Meta said on Wednesday while participating at the start of the new touristic season in Skrapar region, southern Albania.
Meta wished a successful touristic season to the citizens, saying that "Skrapar offers extraordinary attractions, warm hospitality and a special culinary, and I am convinced that it soon will be one of the most important tourist destinations in the whole region."
"But unfortunately, the political crisis is causing very serious consequences to the economy and to the tourism sector. Touristic operators describe the situation as dramatic," Meta told reporters.
He called for all political sides to think about tourism, otherwise all Albanian families depending on this key sector of the economy will face serious consequences.
The president has urged several times for dialogue among all parties and has declared that "it is never too late for reflection."
Meta has also expressed his concern that the refusal of all opposition parties of the last parliamentary legislature to participate in the upcoming local elections risks not only the standards of the elections but also the country's political pluralism.
Since mid-February, Albania has been going through a political crisis, with the opposition parties holding several anti-government protests -- some turned violent, asking Prime Minister Edi Rama and his cabinet to step down for early general elections.
