President urges independence of judiciary

TIRANA, March 8 – President Bamir Topi on Monday took part at the annual analysis of the High Council of Justice, which he leads, on issues relating to the courts.
President Topi called on politics to take good care of the justice system and not hamper its reform.
All the courts in the country held their respective meetings bringing out their main problems and setting goals for the year.
The Judiciary is the country’s main shortcoming among its efforts of integration into the European Union.
Relating the meeting to Women’s Day, Topi mentioned the fact that only 40 percent of the judges are women but there is 90 percent of the administration which they make up. He urged a greater participation of women in high posts.
But the president also urged authorities to be very careful as the percentage at the School of Magistrates producing new judges is reporting the contrary, 80 percent women and 20 percent men.
He also urged young judges to increase their professionalism and training.
Topi said that the reform in the justice system is fundamental, especially taking into consideration the political debate and its consequences or impact.
The president said that politics should take into consideration the fact that the reform in justice should not be hampered but strongly supported.
“The country’s integration, the process of the people’s free move is heavily dependant on the reforms and especially reforms in justice,” he said.
That was a direct call to the opposition to support the reform with its participation in the parliament and debate on some impending laws on justice and its structure.
“Albania is in a very important stage, its’ in the final stage, that of its absorption from the European family but the justice system remains a hampering moment as far as some important laws on that are still pending,” he said.
Topi said that some very important laws for the country need cooperation among the political parties, including passing other laws requiring a three-fifth vote of the 140-seat parliament (which means participation of the opposition). The president is to present a list of six judges to the Constitutional Court and two of the Supreme Court to the parliament to be voted on as there is time for the reshuffle of the two institutions.
The president also urged justice institutions to be fully transparent to the public.