TIRANA, July 20 – Albania’s political leaders have finally reached a last-minute deal on a long-awaited justice system to transform the country’s highly perceived corrupt judiciary and pave the way for the country’s EU accession talks. The consensus comes only one day before a vote on the constitutional changes in Parliament and after prolonged talks and a political deadlock of more than one year.
The advisory or decision-making role of the internationals in the vetting of judges and prosecutors had divided the ruling Socialists and the opposition Democrats with the latter claiming the country’s sovereignty was put at risk by giving internationals power in the decision-making.
Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha said Wednesday the opposition will support the justice reform that is expected to be voted in parliament on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference, Basha said that political parties had reached consensus on the reform based on a formula proposed by the Johannes Hahn, the European Union’s enlargement commissioner regarding the role of the International Monitoring Operation (IMO).
Commissioner Hahn suggested that IMO must have a solid legal basis in the Constitution but IMO’s recommendations will not legally binding. “However, these recommendations will include a reasoning in which a position taken will be explained according to the criteria established by the legislation,” Hahn wrote in a letter sent to the Prime Minister of Albania, Parliament Speaker and Democratic Party chairman. The latter described the formula as a “victory of the Democratic Party principles.” “The opposition was engaged in a long battle. Our persistence delivered results” Basha said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Members of the European Parliament warned Albania to pass the judicial reform on July 21st or sacrifice its hopes of starting negotiations to join the EU.
Johannes Hahn, the Commissioner responsible for EU’s neighbourhood policy and enlargement, told MEPs that Albania’s judicial legislation must have teeth. The reform aims at curbing high level of corruption and organized crime and paves the way for opening EU membership negotiations. It is widely assumed that if Albania passes the test, the December EU summit could decide to launch accession talks.
Prime Minister Edi Rama and Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta also hailed the consensus.
“The Democratic Party gave in to the iron will of the Albanian people and our strategic partners to take forward this historic reform that paves the way for revolution in the Albanian justice system and the final overthrow of the caste of the corrupt and incriminated that hold justice hostage in this country,” said Rama.
Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta, who lobbied broad political support for the reform, described the consensus as a historic achievement.
“I hail the Democratic Party’s decision and express my gratitude to Commissioner Hahn. The approval of the justice reform is a success and achievement for all Albanians” said Meta.
