HCJ says judiciary should be financially independent

DURRES, Jan. 28 – In a meeting with judges, prosecutors and lawyers in the western port town of Durres, deputy head of the High Council of Justice, Kreshnik Spahiu, said that Albania remained lowest country in Europe investing in the judiciary at only 0.5 percent of the state budget. Neighboring countries that have the same integration aspirations with Albania invest a figure several times higher than that, adding that Albania would not be able to meet its European commitments and standards if the independence of the judiciary did not also include its financial independence.
The feedback and input received from the meeting were included in the “White Book” initiative as part of the public discussion initiated by the HCJ on judicial reforms.