TIRANA, May 22 /ATA/ – By A. Fortuzi/- The Netherlands and Albania will strengthen co-operation in public order and justice system. Interior Minister Fatmir Xhafaj and Justice Minister Etilda Gjonaj are in the Netherlands on a work visit. On the first day of this visit, they were hosted by the Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb. Also, in attendance of the meeting was the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj.
Aboutaleb appreciated the visit of senior officials from Albania as a very good opportunity, among other things, to see first- hand the experience in Rotterdam, the so called community security triangle: Municipality- Police – Prosecutor.
Representatives of these three institutions and their staffs meet regularly every week to discuss issues pertaining to order and security in the city, also given the weight that this city carries in the Netherlands. This meeting, he added, is also an opportunity to discuss together issues concerning both sides, seen from the angle of the prospect of opening EU-Albania negotiations.
The Ministers thanked the mayor for his support towards the Albanian cause, especially after his visit to Tirana in November last year.
Your name, Xhafaj added, is mentioned whenever we talk about the Netherlands. The Minister appreciated the meeting with Minister of Justice and Security with both parties coming to agreement on signing a bilateral cooperation document. It will add a new dimension to bilateral co-operation, including the Ministry of Justice and the Prosecutor’s Office.
Such a document will enable us to work together on issues of concern for both sides.
Justice Minister Etilda Gjonaj briefed the Mayor of Rotterdam on the work of Albania to reform justice system as one of the most effective means of combating international organized crime and trafficking.
Also, following the visit of Aboutaleb in Tirana last November, the Minister informed him about the progress of vetting process and implementation of justice reform as one of major reforms undertaken by Albanian government to build an independent, impartial and efficient judicial system.
The mayor hailed the EC recommendation for Albania adding that the Netherlands will support Albania in this process raising the people’s hopes. He also suggested a number of projects of economic nature with the aim of creating jobs and steering youths away from crime.
/sm/
