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TIRANA, May 9 – The ad hoc committee on justice reform unanimously approved in principle on Monday a draft compiled by international experts regarding required constitutional amendments. After many setbacks, the majority and the opposition voted in favor of the draft, paving the way to article by article discussions.
However, the willingness of the political parties to adopt the reform will be once more put to the test when political issues are discussed.
“Our vote in favor of starting discussions on constitutional amendments must not be interpreted as a vote in favor of political issues which have not been treated by Euralius and Opdat experts,” deputy chairman of the ad hoc committee Democrat MP Eduard Halimi told reporters after the meeting.
Meanwhile, the head of the committee Socialist MP Fatmir Xhafaj considered the vote as good news for the constitutional project.
“There are several options regarding the format of the new justice institutions. I am convinced a solution will be found, any compromise is on the table for as long as it preserves the essence of the project,” Xhafaj said.
The acceptance in principle of the draft was greeted by the U.S embassy and the EU mission in Albania.
“The unanimous support for this decision should give the Albanian people hope that their political leaders are now committed to the passage of this reform. Unanimous support is unusual in Albania and we commend the Ad Hoc Committee for this important step forward in judicial reform,” the U.S. embassy in Tirana said in a statement.
The news was also welcomed by the head of the EU delegation in Albania Romana Vlahutin.
“I am happy the justice reform draft was accepted in principle. The vote in favor is a positive move, although there is a lot of work ahead,” Vlahutin stated during a message on Europe Day.
The leaders of the ruling coalition Prime Minister Edi Rama and Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta also greeted the unanimous backing of the draft by considering it as “the best message on Europe Day.”
