Speaking at a conference titled “The Quality of Justice in Albania,” EU Ambassador noted that heavy case backlogs and staff shortages are weakening court decisions.

Gonzato said an effective justice system lay at the heart of Albania’s bid for EU membership and was a key priority of his mandate.

“Today’s conference sets the tone for the year ahead, with a focus on the rule of law, the consolidation of justice reform and support for all justice institutions, including the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court,” Gonzato said.

The EU Ambassador underlined “it is not easy for Albanian judges to deal with the large and increasing backlog of cases, while at the same time ensuring a high quality of justice.”

According to Gonzato, the volume of pending cases represents a serious burden for judges and prosecutors, with a direct impact on the quality of rulings.

He said Albania needed more judges and prosecutors, supported by a sufficient number of legal advisers and assistants, to ensure sound legal research and the effective application of European Union law.

“As a first step, all vacant positions must be filled. The councils should proceed swiftly with the necessary evaluations and appointments. There is no time to lose,” Gonzato said, adding that staffing levels should be increased where needed to better support judges in their daily work.

Ambassador Gonzato also highlighted the role of legal advisers as essential to improving judicial reasoning and aligning court practice with EU legislation.

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The delegation was welcomed at the High Judicial Council by Ilir Rusi, where they learned about its role in safeguarding the independence and accountability of the judiciary, as well as its processes for judicial careers and performance evaluation.

At the School of Magistrates, the Austrian judges were introduced to the initial and continuous training programmes for judges and prosecutors – a key element in strengthening the justice system’s capacities.

The visit continued at the Administrative Court of Appeals in Tirana, where the delegation discussed administrative law practices with Albanian judges and observed a court hearing.

This visit provided a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and to strengthen ties between the judicial institutions of Austria and Albania, contributing to the development of a more transparent and more effective justice system.

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