EU supports the High Council of Justice

TIRANA, Dec 17 – The European Union has funded a 700,000 euro project titled “Support to the High Council of Justice and its Inspectorate” that was over Wednesday.
The project was implemented through a Twinning between the Albanian High Council of Justice and the Italian High Council of Judiciary in partnership with the Spanish High Council of the Judiciary.
The project assisted the HCJ in improving its professional management systems and working practices in order to enhance the efficiency, transparency and fairness of the judiciary in Albania. In particular, the Italian and Spanish experts worked with the Albanian High Council of Justice on the development and implementation of modern systems for appointment, transfer, promotion, evaluation and inspection of judges; and clarifying the respective competences of the High Council of Justice and the Ministry of Justice Inspectorates in disciplinary proceedings.
A new internal organizational structure of the HCJ with professional decision-making and administrative methods has been established aiming at increasing the performance, the professionalism, and the independence of the High Council of Justice. A manual containing assessments, evaluations and normative acts on the main issues treated by the project was also delivered to all Albanian judges and relevant institutions today.
“The presence of international experts in various areas pertinent to Albania’s progress and reforms is a vast resource that comes with EU assistance. I am pleased that Albania’s institutions continue to take advantage of the expertise and experience of EU assistance missions acting on the ground in Tirana”, said Ambassador Helmuth Lohan during the ceremony.