Deputy Prime Minister Koçiu: Justice reform and Vetting have been cornerstones on Albania's European path
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu was present today at the closing ceremony of the Transitional Re-evaluation Process of judges and prosecutors, describing this process as one of the most profound and transformative reforms in the history of the Albanian state.
She emphasized that the process, launched almost a decade ago, aimed to rebuild citizens' trust in justice through auditing the assets, integrity and professional skills of over 800 judges, prosecutors and legal advisors.
"Today, an extraordinary chapter of Albanian statehood closes and one of the deepest, most difficult and most transformative processes our country has ever undertaken concludes. Almost a decade ago, Albania made a decision that many considered impossible: that the justice system itself would undergo an unprecedented reassessment in our constitutional history. Few countries have undertaken such a profound process. Even fewer have had the determination to see it through to the end. This process has not been easy. But the cost of inaction would have been much greater: the continuation of a system that did not enjoy the trust of its citizens and that could not respond to Albania's European ambition ," Koçiu said.
For the Albanian government, according to Koçiu, Justice Reform and Vetting have been cornerstones on Albania's European path.
"They proved that our country is capable of undertaking difficult reforms, confronting entrenched interests and putting the public interest above any other interest. But European Albania is not built only with laws, institutions or negotiation chapters. It is built when citizens believe that the law applies equally to everyone and that their rights are protected within a reasonable time," Koçiu stressed.
Among other things, she praised the work of vetting institutions, underlining that justice reform does not end with the closure of this process.
"Vetting was an instrument. It was not the goal in itself. The goal was and remains an independent, professional, impartial, accountable justice system at the service of the citizen. Now the most important test begins: whether the system will manage to maintain the standard that the re-evaluation process created ," said Koçiu.
At the end of her speech, the Deputy Prime Minister of Albania thanked all institutions and international partners who contributed to this significant reform for the Albanian state.
"On behalf of the Albanian Government, I express my appreciation and gratitude to all those who shouldered the weight of this process. To the members and administrations of the Independent Qualification Commission, the Institution of Public Commissioners and the Special Appeals College; as well as to the Head of the Special Prosecution Office and his representatives, who took on the responsibilities of Public Commissioners in the final phase. Gratitude also goes to the judges and prosecutors who underwent this process. For the professionals who were confirmed in office, the re-evaluation was also a public test of their integrity and ability to serve justice. Special thanks go to the International Monitoring Operation, the European Union, the United States of America and other partners who supported this process with expertise, monitoring and unwavering trust", said Koçiu.
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