The 15th Subcommittee meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security
EUROPEAN UNION – ALBANIA
15th SA Sub-committee Meeting
JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND SECURITY
20 - 21 March 2024
The 15th Subcommittee meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security between the EU and Albania took place on 20 and 21 March 2024. 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, Acting 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, Minister of State for Anticorruption and Public Administration on the 20 March and with Mr. Besfort Lamallari, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Interior of Albania on 21 March.
The Commission welcomed continued progress in the implementation of justice reform. The importance of timely adoption of necessary transition measures and timely completion the temporary re-evaluation process of judges and prosecutors (vetting) in appeal without prejudice to the quality of judicial review, as well as the need for systematic referral of vetting cases with criminal elements to prosecution, 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 internalise the high standards set by vetting in the work of the self-governing institutions for the judiciary. The Commission stressed the need to ensure a fully transparent and competitive selection process in the ongoing 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 asked for consolidated implementation and increased efficiency on prevention of corruption, notably in vulnerable sectors. The Commission also 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, media freedom and pluralism, and alignment with the EU acquis on data protection. The Commission emphasized the importance to address the persistent challenges surrounding property rights, including corruption. The Commission reiterated the need for swift adoption of the remaining implementing legislation on the protection of national minorities in line with the principle of self-identification and the implementation of the Roma inclusion commitments taken at ministerial level.
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 also urged Albanian authorities to establish and further capacitate the asset recovery office. The Commission further asked the Albanian authorities to keep consulting the EU on bylaws related to the Law on the Cultivation of Cannabis for medical and industrial uses. Albania reiterated its commitment to make the best use of the new e-platform for the track record and data collection on organised, serious crime and corruption.
On migration, the Commission welcomed Albania’s good progress in the implementation of the EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans adopted in December 2022. The Commission further asked to develop readmission cooperation with the main countries of origin to ensure effective returns of persons with no right to stay. On asylum, the Commission asked Albania to pursue efforts to implement the law on asylum and in particular to ensure adequate access to asylum procedures. The Commission welcomed the improved sharing of migration and asylum data with EU services.
Albania continues to meet the visa liberalisation requirements and has made progress in addressing last year's recommendations. However, the Commission urged Albania to further align its visa policy with the EU list of visa-required third countries in the EU and recalled that seasonal visa lifting is not in line with the EU acquis. 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 welcomed the delisting of Albania from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.