At the high-level meeting “Albania 2030 in the EU – The Path of Reforms,” organized by the Assembly with the participation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, Gonzato stated that the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU will remain a top priority for the EU in the near future.

Regarding the justice sector, Gonzato said, as we have emphasized many times before, the guiding principle should be the irreversibility of the Justice Reform, adopted in 2016, especially its institutional architecture.

“In the context of the accession negotiations, Albania has clearly committed to continue strengthening the independence of magistrates and the judicial and prosecutorial systems, to consolidate accountability and integrity at all levels, to ensure access to justice, and to guarantee the effective delivery of justice in line with EU standards,” he stated.

Overall, he added, it is crucial that the check and balance and the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution are fully upheld.

The ambassador stated that this is essential for a democratic state.

He announced that the EU will persist in advocating for meaningful consultations with stakeholders in this crucial process and will work towards fostering inclusive, cross-party support.

He emphasized, “This must remain a goal if it has not yet been achieved.”

Regarding measures to prevent corruption, Gonzato said he welcomed the recent approval of the government’s Anti-Corruption Strategy.

“I am proud that we helped to draft it. It sets objectives and mechanisms that, if implemented, will enable central and local administrations to fulfill their missions effectively while respecting the highest standards of transparency,” the ambassador emphasized.

Focusing on support in the accession process, Gonzato pointed out that the new leadership, which took office on December 1, confirmed this very clearly during the hearings in the European Parliament.

“The reunification of Europe has become an integral part of the EU’s broader vision for a more stable, secure, and prosperous Europe. A week ago, Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, announced that for the first time in a decade, there is a realistic perspective that we could bring one or more candidate countries to the finish line during this term. She emphasized that the process is merit-based and that democracy and the rule of law will remain its pillars,” said the ambassador.

/sm/