He appears wearing a pair of personalized sneakers with the number 5 on them, which also is the number of the Socialist Party in the ballot paper for the Parliamentary elections of May 11.

“All’s well that end well!”, wrote Rama, adding that he was ready to start the “marathon”. “Only the number 5”, emphasized the prime minister. /r.e/p.s./

The focus of the discussions during the meeting chaired by North Macedonia were the current security and defense issues of the Balkan region and beyond.

The participants paid special importance to the engagement within this initiative, the implementation of revitalization concept of the Adriatic card, joint engagement in NATO missions for maintaining security and supporting peace, regional cooperation in the field of security and defense as well as the contribution to global security.

While taking the floor in the meeting, Peleshi said that Albania will continue to contribute to stability, security and peace in the region, which are achieved by promoting political dialogue, good neighborliness and addressing hot bilateral or multilateral issues, based on respect of international agreements and legislation, as the Western Balkans region is a key geostrategic factor for NATO and the European Union.

Since the presidency of the USA-Adriatic Charter for the year 2024 will be taken by Albania, Minister Peleshi guaranteed the participating countries that the Ministry of Defense will be fully committed to fulfill all obligations towards this initiative, increase its visibility and importance of the Adriatic Charter, to promote the “Open Door Policy”, as one of the basic principles of this regional commitment.

In this perspective, Minister Peleshi asked the A5 member countries to accept Kosovo’s request to join this initiative with full rights.

On the sidelines of this Ministerial, Peleshi held a bilateral meeting with Celeste Wallander, US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. Peleshi acquainted Wallander with the country’s role and contribution to the Alliance, paying special attention to Albania’s role in the Western Balkans region.

Minister Peleshi also held a meeting with the Minister of Defense of Kosovo Ejup Maqedonci, with whom he discussed issues of common interest in the bilateral and regional framework.

The USA-Adriatic Charter (A5) regional initiative is considered one of the most important regional initiatives. Attending this meeting were ministers and representatives of the ministries of defense from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Croatia, the USA, as well as Slovenia, Kosovo and Serbia. /m.m/p.s./

The reform has been so far a success story not only in Albania, but also set a model for the region. Today, the new justice institutions are functioning.

The Independent Qualification Commission launched the battle to vet judges and prosecutors and has yielded concrete results.

About 421 judges and prosecutors have so far faced the vetting body, a key process that began in late December 2017 as part of the Justice Reform under the assistance of US and EU experts targeting to clean up the justice system from the corrupted people.

On the other hand, the Independent Qualification Commission has confirmed in office 174 judges and prosecutors. Likewise, the Commission dismissed 155 magistrates who did not meet the three key criteria of the vetting process, that of legitimacy of property and ethical and professional criteria.

Meanwhile, dozens of other prosecutors and judges are scheduled to be vetted by the Independent Qualification Commission.

International institutions have welcomed Albania’s Justice Reform and continue to support its consolidation.

Justice Minister Etilda Gjonaj also marked the 5^th anniversary of the Justice Reform.

“During these 5 years, this reform has yielded important results not only in cleaning the Palace of Justice from corrupt judges and prosecutors, but also in setting up a new architecture of the justice system, with institutions that are already in operation “, she said.

Gjonaj added that, “Justice reform is one of the most important reforms undertaken in these 30 years of democracy. This reform will enable the establishment and strengthening of an independent justice system, politically impartial, non-corrupted, accountable, and efficient.”/p.s./