TIRANA, Feb.9 – After mediating a deal that ended the opposition’s parliament boycott over a year ago, the two EU parliamentarians Knut Fleckenstein and Eduard Kukan were again in Tirana this week, this time to assess progress on the judicial reform and also monitor the implementation of the decriminalization law.
During their two-day stay the duo made it clear that the opening of accession talks for Albania will rely on a successful implementation of the justice reform as corruption and organized crime cannot be successfully fought without a good justice reform, thus giving signals that if the reform is delayed, accession negotiations will also be delayed.
“Albania is a candidate country. There are a few expectations from Albania so that it receives a date for the opening of negotiations, with the most important being the judicial reform,” said Eduard Kukan.
The European parliamentarians expressed optimism for a completion of the reform given the willingness demonstrated by all sides for political dialogue.
“The impression I had after meeting with the three political leaders is that all three are ready to find a solution for approving the justice reform,” said Fleckenstein.
The leader of the Democratic Party Lulzim Basha confirmed such willingness in a declaration made after meeting with Kukan and Fleckenstein.
“I reiterated the opposition’s willingness for an open and unconditional cooperation with the majority on justice reform, in the spirit of political consensus to approve a judicial reform that fights corruption, but disables political capture,” said opposition leader Lulzim Basha after meeting with the two MEPs.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament and SMI chairman Ilir Meta said that he considered the reform in the country’s justice system as essential for stepping up the fight against corruption and organized crime.
Meta added that the implementation of the decriminalization law will start within the next two months.
However, the readiness is seen as simply the first step since real work will begin only once the Venice Commission has delivered its final opinion.
“We are waiting for the Venice Commission recommendations and then the real job starts,” said Knut Fleckenstein.
Fleckenstein who is expected to present a report on Albania in the European Parliament in upcoming weeks said that once the judicial reform is approved he will suggest to the European Commission a monitoring mission which will closely observe the implementation of the reform in the country.
Last month the draft on justice reform compiled by experts based on Venice Commission recommendations was sent to the Venice Commission for a final opinion. The opposition as well as the government’s key ally in the ruling coalition, the Socialist Movement for Integration, have also sent separate opinions alongside the experts’ draft. The final opinion of the Venice Commission is expected to be released next month.
