The European Union remains committed to supporting the judicial reform in Albania, highlighting that this initiative, along with the vetting process for judges and prosecutors, aims to rebuild public confidence in the judiciary and its institutions.
At a recent roundtable event discussing the impacts of the vetting system established through the 2016 justice reform, Silvio Gonzato, the EU ambassador to Albania, reaffirmed the EU’s ongoing support for the vetting process, which commenced in 2018 and will continue until fully completed.
This roundtable, organized by the Embassy of the Netherlands and the Albanian Helsinki Committee, served as a platform for dialogue.
“Trust is a belief that must be continually nurtured; it cannot be taken for granted. While justice reform is irreversible, its successful implementation requires our ongoing vigilance and support. Upholding the independence and integrity of judges is a constant commitment,” Gonzato expressed.
The ambassador emphasized that “accountability and independence are foundational elements of any democratic society that upholds the rule of law.”
The vetting process in Albania, a key component of the Justice Reform, started on February 8, 2018, and concluded in November 2022.
The Independent Qualification Commission reported making a total of 805 decisions throughout the vetting, resulting in 373 confirmations in office for 165 judges, 167 prosecutors, and several legal personnel, including former inspectors in the High Council of Justice.
Utilizing three main criteria—professional competence, asset verification, and personal integrity—the KPK also rendered 268 decisions leading to the dismissal of 146 judges, 116 prosecutors, and other legal officials.
This vetting process, monitored internationally, will transition to the second phase within the Special Appeals Chamber (KPA), whose members serve a 9-year term set to conclude at the end of 2026, following the completion of the Independent Qualification Commission’s evaluations.
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