In a statement, the embassy said the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression are protected by Albania’s Constitution.

“However, the right to protest does not legitimise the use of violence or damage to public and private property. Equally, it should not be met with disproportionate action by the police,” the embassy said.

It urged all parties to respect these rights and help ease tensions.

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The statement came ahead of a parliamentary session expected to vote on a draft decision authorising the arrest or detention of lawmaker Belinda Balluku through a change to her current security measure.

The Embassy emphasized the importance of maintaining the rule of law and judicial independence, while recognising Albania’s progress on judicial reform since 2016, including the creation of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution Structure (SPAK).

“The Executive, Judiciary and Legislature remain equal partners in upholding that progress as part of Albania’s goal to achieving EU accession,” British Embassy stated.

“While Parliamentary immunity should protect democratic processes, it should not be an obstacle to equal accountability before the law,” the Embassy concluded.

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British Embassy announced on Tuesday that it invited the Chief Special Prosecutor, Prosecutor General, and the Public Commissioner of Elections to brief ambassadors on the strategy to investigate and prevent electoral crimes, published in 2025.

The briefing session covered the institutions’ collective and individual approaches to investigating electoral offences within the current operating environment, including the strategy for mitigating potential risks in the upcoming electoral process.

British Embassy underlined that the new agreement between the institutions of the Central Election Commission, General Prosecutor Office and Special Structure against Corruption and Organised Crime was welcomed by the international community as an important next step in ensuring clarity of purpose for each institution.

The Embassy said it welcomes Albania’s commitment to ensuring the 11 May election is transparent, fair and secure.

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British Embassy said in a press release that talks during visit to Tirana will focus on illegal immigration and the British Foreign Secretary will also a new judicial programme to tackle corruption and organized crime in Albania.

“As part of the UK’s growing leadership to find solutions to the pan-European challenge, the British Foreign Secretary will travel to Albania this week to meet with the Albanian President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to discuss cooperation between Albania and Great Britain, for the control of illegal immigration on the front line,” the Embassy said.

The British Foreign Secretary “will highlight the success of our innovative partnership to tackle human traffickers and illegal immigration and the impact of UK investment in preventing immigration.”

“The Foreign Secretary will build on the UK’s leadership in tackling organized crime by announcing a new program linked to the judiciary to tackle corruption and organized crime in Albania, as well as providing UK expertise to Albanian Police, for their reform agenda,” British Embassy announced.

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British Embassy in Tirana invited interested individuals to attend the UK-funded “Invest in the North” fair, which opened on Wednesday in the “Old Tourism” (Alb. Turizmi i vjetër) area in the north-eastern town.

The fair began first on March 4 in the town of Diber and it will take place near Pyramid building in Tirana on March 11. The goal of the fair is to provide more information on jobs, market’s offers and new opportunities in education.

“If you are looking for education or job opportunities in the Kukes area and elsewhere in Albania, come along to the UK-funded “Invest in the North” fair today, starting from 10:30 where some of the biggest British and Albanian employers will be talking how to make the most of the growing opportunities in Kukes and all over Albania,” British Embassy said.

“Join the British Chamber of Commerce in Albania in Hotel ‘Turizmi i Vjeter’ and be part of the fair to learn more about jobs, market’s offers and new opportunities in education,” the Embassy added.

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The British Embassy underlined its continued support for Albanian aspirations for a functioning parliament and democracy.

In a press statement, the Embassy also put emphasis on the need for full implementation of the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations on elections.

“The British Embassy in Tirana has always supported Albanian aspirations for a functioning parliament and democracy. That requires structures that enable citizens and their elected representatives to draft laws, hold government to account and debate important issues to reflect the interests of all citizens. This includes implementing the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations on elections in full,” the Embassy said in its statement.

“We welcome His Excellency the President’s call yesterday for an active Parliament that holds the executive responsible through a continuous demand for transparency and accountability, and to replace political conflict with constructive cooperation. We urge all politicians to heed that message,” the Embassy said.

The British Embassy denied any mediation efforts for a political agreement.

“While we have not mediated any political agreement, we continue to encourage mutually respectful and constructive dialogue in good faith between those who wish to represent the people of Albania.  That is in the national interest, and also crucial for the confidence of international partners and business investment to build a better future for all Albanians,” the British Embassy stated.

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“The UK is concerned about threats against investigators, prosecutors and judges in Albania,” British Embassy said in a post on the social media.

British Embassy stated that “everyone working in the justice system must be free to carry out their work without fear or favour.”

“The UK will continue to support them in their vital mission to keep Albanian citizens safe,” the Embassy stated.

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“If you are a voter in the six municipalities voting today in Albania, you have the chance to decide who runs your city,” the Embassy said.

The British Embassy also said that it has deployed 4 teams in polling stations throughout Albania.

“We are working with civil society and Albanian institutions to ensure elections meet the highest standards,” it said.

The Embassy appeals to citizens to massively take part in elections.

“Take part and make your voice heard!” British Embassy said in its message.

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British Embassy notes in a statement that the OSCE/ODIHR report recommends an inclusive and timely review of the legal framework before the next election.

British Embassy encourages all parties to fully implement the recommendations and reiterate the need to investigate cases of vote-buying or data breaches, to guarantee the right to a free and secret vote.

“The OSCE/ODIHR has published its final report on the 25 April election in Albania, encouraging an inclusive and timely review of the legal framework before the next election. We encourage all parties to fully implement the recommendations and reiterate the need to investigate cases of vote-buying or data breaches, to guarantee the right to a free and secret vote,” British Embassy in Tirana said.

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“Today’s roundtable on the 5 years of the Justice Reform in Albania brought together heads of the justice Institution, experts and the main international partners to discuss its key achievements and future challenges,” British Embassy said.

“The Great Britain has a long history of working with Albania, the Ministry of Justice and key stakeholders in the justice sector. We look forward to welcoming soon Minister Etilda Gjonaj to London to meet with Ministers, high officials and law enforcement staff and further strengthen our cooperation on shared priorities and challenges,” the Embassy said in a statement.

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