Speaking at a joint news conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Tirana, Rama said the European Commission views Albania as a serious partner.

“Events that here are treated as grounds for attacking and spreading waves of despair are viewed by the European Commission as grounds to consider Albania a very serious partner and a country whose aspirations are based on the facts of a daily effort in all areas,” Rama said, citing among them an uncompromising fight against organised crime and corruption.

Rama said that what some in Albania might view as a setback was seen by the European Commission as progress.

Turning to the investigation involving Hyseni, Rama said the case should be decided by the courts rather than through selective leaks of investigative material.

“It should not be left to the sporadic reading of investigative materials released to confuse public opinion, but to the courts. The process will show whether or not there are matters that have compromised anything related to national security or the trust placed in the service by its partners,” Rama said.

He added that no concerns had so far been raised by any SHISH partner.

“The news I have for you is that the concern being raised by distributors and agitators of materials released on the streets has not come to us from any partner so far. Not one partner,” Rama said, clarifying that he meant partners within the security system who work with SHISH, rather than Albania’s political or geopolitical allies.

Rama said he expected prosecutors to complete their work without interference and the courts to do their job independently, after which the facts and outcome of the case would become clear.

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Speaking to the media from the press hall at “Mother Teresa” International Airport immediately after returning from the United States, Rama said: “Today—as I stop in this hall right after landing, and while all my opponents (from the disreputable figures of the opposition ranks to the bitter failures of former government circles) think they have invented a ‘miracle bomb’ to bring Rama down by shouting ‘Corruption, corruption, corruption—we are drowning in corruption’—I want to be very clear with all of you.”

However, the prime minister continued, I know for certain that the time when justice in this country was a closed door whenever fairness came knocking, yet an open room whenever wrongdoing sought a deal, will never return.

“The time when political power and impunity were one and the same will not return. That era has passed because I, the Socialist Party, and the majority of Albanians who placed their trust in us boldly undertook the deepest, most challenging and most painful reform in the history of the Albanian state. It was the reform of reforms, the challenge of challenges, the most profound transformation of all. We undertook the act of handing over the sword of justice—held by political power since 1912—to a new authority: a justice system liberated and made independent through our own will,” said Rama.

“Today, for the first time in the history of the Albanian state, Albania’s institutional system itself is demonstrating a capacity for self-purification that it never possessed before; this is a major national achievement. /k.s/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Rama emphasized that this is the most extensive survey conducted so far with public administration employees, while underlining that the process is carried out confidentially, with forms that are not analyzed by superiors, but by the responsible team at the Ministry of State for Public Administration.

According to him, although more employees now feel adequately paid, they are still outnumbered by those who consider their salary insufficient.

“The salary is insufficient for everyone. When the High Judicial Council (KLGJ) and the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP) say they do not have enough salary, imagine the administration. KLGJ and KLP are the face of the failure of the justice reform. While SPAK and the Special Court are the face of success. If KLP and KLGJ claim their salaries are insufficient, although they have salaries several times higher than ours here, imagine what the administration employee can say”, he said. /e.i/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Emphasizing that deliberate fires are crimes rather than natural disasters, he warned they will recur unless met with the full force of the law.

Police caught the suspect red-handed after he allegedly set three fires burning 400m² of forest in Gziq, Rrëshen, following a three-day ground pursuit. The suspect is linked to additional arson attacks in the Mirdita municipality, which police intervention successfully prevented.

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According to the minister, Albania’s justice reform is now in its consolidation phase,” Minister Gogu announced. “The recent report validates our progress, highlighting the completion of the vetting process and a major \(60\%\) reduction in the High Court’s case backlog. Our next goal is applying this efficiency model across all courts. Alongside this, we are rolling out a full digital transformation of the justice system to eliminate long queues, increase transparency, and improve the daily experience for citizens.

The report reviews inter-institutional cooperation coordinated by the Ministry of Justice. The Minister highlighted key challenges to address, emphasizing the need to speed up evaluation procedures, fill vacancies, boost anti-corruption efforts, and further enhance public trust in the justice system. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

Ambassador of the European Union to Albania Silvio Gonzato praised the work of justice institutions and reiterated the significance of maintaining their independence, integrity and accountability.

While he acknowledged the progress made under the Justice Reform, he emphasized that ongoing challenges demand sustained effort.

“We must make this reform irreversible. Strong institutions are the only long-term guarantee of a fair, stable society—one designed to protect everyone’s rights, not just the interests of the minority”, said Ambassador Gonzato.

Guided by the Cross-Sectoral Justice Strategy 2024–2030, Albania is advancing judicial reforms to meet EU accession standards. The European Union remains a steadfast partner, supporting Albanian institutions in strengthening the rule of law and building a more efficient, consolidated justice sector.

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In his remarks, Speaker of the Assembly praised the justice reform and vetting process as a profoundly courageous step by the Albanian state to strengthen the rule of law and consolidate democratic institutions.

Peleshi emphasized that the justice reform was a vital step for the state to correct its own course and regain the trust of its citizens.

“Ten years ago, Albania took an extraordinary risk by subjecting its justice system to an unprecedented vetting process. It was a move born not of vengeance or spectacle, but of the conviction that no state can thrive without credible justice”, said the Speaker of the Assembly.

He noted that the Albania of 2026 has evolved significantly since 2016, boasting fortified institutions, higher standards, and a newly empowered public that demands greater accountability from its justice system.

Speaker of the Parliament expressed gratitude to the members of the Special Appellate College, the Independent Qualification Commission, the International Monitoring Operation, the European Union, the United States of America and all partners who contributed to implementation of the reform.

Peleshi stressed that the vetting mandate may have ended, but the obligation to uphold its standards remains.

“We will no longer measure success by the re-evaluation process, but by the tangible fairness, integrity, and trustworthiness of our justice system”, stated Peleshi.

Speaker Peleshi linked justice reform to Albania’s EU journey, noting the country is closer than ever to accession. He highlighted that institutional strength and the rule of law are the foundation of this progress. Peleshi further committed Parliament to advancing the reform, viewing the preservation of its standards as a true test of state maturity. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

The activity brought together representatives of justice institutions, judges, prosecutors and mediators from the countries of the region, with the aim of exchanging experiences and promoting cooperation in the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Deputy Minister of Justice Elona Hoxha highlighted mediation as an important instrument for improving efficiency of the justice system.

She emphasized that mediation helps reduce the workload of the courts, providing a faster and more effective solution for citizens, as well as strengthening access to justice.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the “SEE Mediation” project aims to support the strengthening of mediation systems in the countries of Southeastern Europe, through the exchange of best practices, building professional capacities and deepening regional cooperation.

In conclusion, the Ministry of Justice expressed its gratitude to all representatives of justice institutions, judges, prosecutors and mediators for their contribution, as well as to international partners who continue to support reforms and the development of modern justice mechanisms in the region. /p.s./

Gogu stated that Albania has accelerated its EU negotiations by addressing 64 critical gaps and fulfilling 14 interim benchmarks (2025–Feb 2026), driven by comprehensive, inter-institutional cooperation.

Focusing on concrete results, the minister of justice announced significant progress: a 60% drop in Supreme Court backlog since 2020, expanded free legal aid and digitalization of the judiciary via JURONIX.

In 2025, the state-guaranteed legal aid system helped 5,863 citizens with primary support and provided secondary legal aid to another 924 people nationwide.

“Beyond negotiation chapters, Europe’s strength lies in the trust citizens place in their justice systems”, said Gogu.

He also emphasized that Albania is working on further harmonizing the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code and the legislation on fundamental rights with the acquis of the European Union, while the vetting process is entering its final phase within the constitutional mandate.

The National Council for European Integration meeting was held in context of Europe Day activities and Albania’s focus on advancing the negotiations for membership in the European Union. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

Speaking to residents after inspecting the Librazhd–Përrenjas road, Rama also commented on Albania’s justice reform, warning that the country cannot return to communist-era practices of public denunciations without due process.

“In democratic systems, every judicial process involves both a prosecutor and a judge, an accuser and a defendant. In the end, it is the arbiter’s decision that matters,” Rama said, referring to the country’s ongoing judicial reforms.

He acknowledged that Albania previously lacked an independent justice system, arguing that if one had existed, high-level corruption would have been addressed sooner. Rama also stressed that much of the criticism circulating in public debate does not reflect reality and that judicial outcomes must be determined by the courts.

On the opposition, Rama said political rivals cannot be “chosen” in a democracy but insisted that Albania would not revert to its past. “We will move forward together with all the democrats who find their path aligned with ours. Many have already joined us,” he added.

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