Judiciary, a main issue in Albania’s integration efforts, says minister

TIRANA, July 16 – European Integration Minister reported to the parliamentary committee on integration, saying that judiciary, civil registry, public administration, corruption, human rights in prisons, minority rights, property restitution and ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement were some of the main issues the country should be focused on in its efforts for integration into the European Union.
The judicial system, an ever-mentioned shortcoming in post-communist Albania, remains a top priority the country should work to improve. The government has already passed a law on court administration and also on lawyers.
Fighting corruption also remains a priority. The government has completed a strategy creating ways to prevent corruption. Bregu said that the fight against corruption asked for joint work from all political forces and institutions in the country.
Bregu did not say whether the government would apply for EU candidacy status this autumn, as the opposition has asked for. She said they were looking for the most appropriate timing. (Tirana Times Staff)