TIRANA, May 7 /ATA/ – Albania and France are deepening cooperation in the field of justice, focusing on judicial reform, criminal law modernisation and the fight against organised crime.
The remarks were made during a joint press statement between Justice Minister Toni Gogu and his French counterpart Gérald Darmanin, who is on an official visit to Tirana on Thursday.
Gogu described the visit as an important moment to showcase Albania’s progress over a decade of justice reform, highlighting the separation of the judiciary from political influence and the strengthening of institutional independence.
“It is the work of an entire society to restructure justice and bring it up to European standards,” he said.
He noted that cooperation between the two countries includes concrete areas such as reform of the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, as well as strengthening training within the magistrates’ system.
A key element of this cooperation is the partnership between Albania’s School of Magistrates and its French counterpart, which was renewed during the visit.
Darmanin praised Albania’s “highly ambitious and impressive” justice reforms, stressing that the rule of law is central to the country’s European Union integration path.
“We are very pleased to support you through our experts, magistrates and professors in the revision of criminal legislation,” he said, adding that France would remain an active partner in the process.
Both sides also emphasised cooperation in the fight against organised crime, particularly in asset seizure and confiscation, where Albania’s practices were described by Darmanin as potentially exemplary for France.
The discussions further included strengthening cooperation in the penitentiary system and enhancing the exchange of information and intelligence.
Darmanin’s visit comes ahead of the World Law Congress, which will be held in Tirana in 2027, placing Albania at the centre of international legal and rule-of-law discussions.
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