Dear High Representative,
Dear Commissioner,
Dear colleagues,
Thank you for welcoming us to the 11th meeting of the Stabilization and Association Council.
Following the decision of the Council in March, in June 2020 the Government of Albania adopted and started work on its Action Plan for the fulfillment of the Council’s conclusions.
One of the most important conditions concerned the amendments to the Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania, which were adopted in July 23rd 2020. The new Electoral Code addresses OSCE-ODHIR recommendations and is an expression of the Albanian Government’s commitment to constructive political dialogue and pursuing the reform agenda in the spirit of compromise and cooperation.
I am very happy that the Electoral Code was identified by the Democracy Index as one of the main reasons for moving Albania up the ladder, from a hybrid regime to a flawed democracy.
Tangible, hard fought progress has been achieved on the justice reform. The vetting process has moved ahead considerably, in close cooperation with the International Monitoring Operation and the process is advancing day by day.
The Constitutional Court has regained its quorum and full functionality, with currently 7 out of 9 members in service. This allows the Court to adjudicate all cases efficiently and the first hearings have already taken place. The High Judicial Council (HJC) is conducting the process of selection of candidates for 12 vacancies for judges in the High Court. Within March 2021, the High Judicial Council will propose to the President of the Republic four candidates in the field of criminal law and two candidates in the field of administrative law for appointment to the High Court. Within June 2021, the necessary quorum within the Supreme Court to conduct the election of members to the Constitutional Court will be created.
Furthermore, a backlog reduction plan is also being implemented and the preparation of a judicial map in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice is in process, with a view to increasing the efficiency of the whole justice system.
The progress of the justice reform is already having an impact on the fight against corruption, which is a priority for the Albanian government. We have intensified our efforst at tackling corruption at all levels of government and operational coordination and monitoring capacities have continued to strengthen. Anti-corruption policies are being adopted that aim to progressively reduce the level of corruption, and enhance the integrity of institutions thus improving public service for citizens, making law enforcement more efficient and increasing transparency.
In the fight against organized crime the results have been considerable. Here too the justice system reform has had a significant impact. Our cooperation with EU member states and the implementation of the action plan that adresses FATF recommendations have also been of import. Albania has participated in several police operations, some jointly with EU Member States, targeting organized crime groups, leading to important arrests and indictments.
Furthermore, Albania is the only third country that has working arrangements with all EU justice and home affairs agencies, EUROJUST, EUROPOL and FRONTEX.
The institutional architecture for prosecuting and adjudicating cases of corruption and organised crime is now fully operational. The work of the National Bureau of Investigations and the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime has become essential in pursuing with more vigor the fight against organized crime and corruption.
The Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime has conducted criminal proceedings in several high-profile cases, including the proceedings against a former Prosecutor General, 9 former judges of the High Court and the Constitutional Court, investigated for the criminal offence of refusal to declare, concealment or non-declaration of assets; 20 election commissioners accused of electoral crimes committed during the elections of June 2017.
It has brought to trial around 70% of the completed proceedings and roughly 86 % of the persons involved were indicted. Furthermore, the Head of the National Bureau of Investigation was appointed by the High Prosecution Council on July 30, 2020. There are currently 37 candidates in the competition for the selection of the 60 NBI investigators and they are waitting for the vetting process to be completed.
Albania is strongly committed to the implementation of the Public Administration Reform and the consolidation of a professional and merit-based civil service. The progress in policy making, integrated policy planning, creating a more transparent remuneration system, and strengthening public finance management, has been intensified.
Albania is committed to the the protection of its citizens’ fundamental rights and its legal framework complies with international human rights instruments and European standards. Albania’s Observer Status to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has been effectuated. As regards the freedom of expression, the initiative of the Parliament of Albania to propose amendments to the audiovisual media law has been removed from the agenda for now.
On the crucial area of land and property, the digitalisation of the Cadastre registration system is ongoing and the State Cadastral Agency is functional. Initial registration processes have started simultaneously for all cadastral zones and deadlines are being strictly followed according to the Action Plan. The process of Initial Registration for the cadastral zones of the municipality of Himara started in May 2020 and is progressing well.
In short, the Government of Albania has embarked on a fully-fledged property reform that aims to restore legality to the very complicated issue of property rights.
Further on, on human rights, Albania continues to guarantee the rights of persons belonging to national minorities.
Every person belonging to a national minority in the entire Albanian territory enjoys the right of self-identification, to the protection of the distinct identity of national minorities; nondiscrimination and full equality before the law; freedom of religion; participation in public, cultural, social and economic life; right to education in the language of a national minority; the use of minority language, etc.
On the issue of migration, which has been a source of concern, Albania has maintained its commitment and efforts to tackle the unfounded asylum applications lodged by Albanian citizens in the EU Member States by improving its institutional capacities on border management as well as cooperating with the EU Member States of destination.
I see that I have reached the end of my time. But I want to make one last appear.
There is no doubt that Albania deserves to hold its first IGC during the Portuguese Presidency.
We have done our homework and now it is the turn of the EU to stand by its promise.
This is not just an opinion of the Albanian Government. This is the conclusion of the Commission too. And I am very satisfied that this is the firm opinion of all my counterparts with whom I have had the honor to confer before this visit.
I am here to push that the EU keep its promise to Albania, but I also want to appeal to the EU to start thinking strategically of our region because the issue at stake is far greater than Albania. At stake is the credibility of the EU in our region and in the world. At stake, is the future of the EU’s own backyard where other actors are now vying for influence and control and where any tarnishing of the EU’s image and credibility would put wind in the sails of alternative agendas.
