The 14th Subcommittee meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security between the EU and Albania
The 14th Subcommittee meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security between the EU and Albania took place on 14 and 15 June 2023. Representatives from the European Commission and the Albanian authorities discussed the most recent developments in the area of judicial reform, anti-corruption, fundamental rights, asylum and migration, visa policy, the fight against organised crime, combating money laundering and counter-terrorism. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Alberto Cammarata, Deputy Head of Unit for Albania and North Macedonia at the Directorate General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission (Commission) and Ms. Adea Pirdeni, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Justice of Albania on the 14 June and with Mr. Besfort Lamallari, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Interior of Albania on 15 June.
The Commission welcomed continued progress in the implementation of justice reform. The importance of timely completion the temporary re-evaluation process of judges and prosecutors (vetting) and of systematic referral of cases presenting criminal elements for judicial follow up was emphasized. The Commission recalled the need for continued consolidation of the independence and integrity of the judiciary, as well as urgent efforts to reduce backlog of cases at all court levels. Continued efforts are needed to establish an efficient Integrated Case Management System and for an orderly implementation of the new judicial map, ensuring access to justice. The Commission stressed the need to ensure a fully transparent and competitive selection process in the upcoming partial renewal of the membership of the High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council.
The Commission welcomed the continued results of the specialised bodies for the fight against corruption and organised crime and called for these efforts to be further intensified. The Commission inquired on possible legal initiatives extending SPAK specialised courts’ competence to matters of execution. The Commission recalled the need for consolidated results in the fight against corruption, notably at high-level. The Commission recalled the need to address the outstanding GRECO recommendations.
Concerning fundamental rights, the Commission underlined the need for progress in the area of freedom of expression and alignment with the EU acquis on data protection. The Commission emphasized the importance to address the persistent challenges surrounding property rights, including corruption, in line with the EU-Albania property rights programme. The Commission welcomed the adoption of implementing legislation, which should enable to advance with compensations for properties confiscated by communist regime. It reiterated the need for swift adoption of the remaining implementing legislation on the protection of national minorities and orderly conduct of the population census in 2023, in line with the principle of self-identification.
In the area of home affairs, the Commission welcomed the continued engagement and operational cooperation with EU Agencies, in particular Frontex and Europol, and EU Member States, as well as the good implementation of the Joint Action Plan on counter-terrorism. The Commission encouraged Albania to strengthen its cooperation with the EU Drugs Agency and to set-up a national drug observatory and an early warning system. The Commission further asked the Albanian authorities to keep consulting the EU on possible legislative initiatives related to the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial uses. The Commission also urged Albanian authorities to establish an asset recovery office.
On migration, the Commission welcomed Albania’s commitment in the joint implementation of the EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans adopted in December 2022. The Commission stressed the need to regularly share migration and asylum data with the EU services and further asked to ensure the effectiveness of voluntary returns, to pursue readmission cooperation with the main countries of origin and ensure adequate access to asylum procedures.
Albania continues to meet the visa liberalisation requirements and has made progress in addressing last year's recommendations. Albanian authorities should continue to address the high number of unfounded asylum applications of the Albanian citizens in EU member states and Schengen-associated countries. The Commission welcomed the continued efforts to improve cooperation and deliver tangible results with the most affected EU countries. The Commission took positive note of Albania’s decision to suspend the initiative related to the establishment of an investor citizenship scheme. Albania’s visa policy remains to be further aligned with the EU acquis.
The Commission welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan and noted positively that Albania has withdrawn the draft fiscal and criminal amnesty law in its latest form. The Commission called on the Albanian authorities to ensure that any legal initiative on voluntary tax declaration, should there be any, will be fully in line with the FATF principles and the EU and international standards.