EU-Funded Project for Judicial Improvement Ends

TIRANA, Nov.6 – The European Commission Delegation in Albania reported the end of a one million euro ($1.3 million) project of the European Union in the country. The project funds were used to construct a new building for the Albanian Court of Appeal in the town of Vlora, which opened last week. The plan includes similar enterprises in other towns as well, as part of larger program that aims at bringing significant improvements to the country’s judicial system. The construction of a new courthouse in Korce, in the southeast, has also been completed. Plans for next year include the reconstruction of the district court buildings in Peshkopi in the east and in Sarande in the south. “Strengthening the independence of Albania’s judiciary and improving its efficiency is one of the key aims of the EC’s cooperation with the Government of Albania in the Stability and Association Process,” according to the EC press release. All projects are funded by the EU’s Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilization Program (CARDS), the EC main instrument of financial assistance to Albania. The EU has committed 236.7 million euro in CARDS assistance to the impoverished southeastern European country since 2001.