Prime Minister Rama explained that the invitation was prompted by a publication titled “Long-Term Development,” which offers an in-depth analysis of the entire institutional system in Albania.

“Reform processes are never final, as evolving factors require the institutional structure, built under certain conditions, to adapt to these changes. Institutional reform is not only a continuous process, but it should also be seen as an additional driver for economic growth.”

“We have consistently made efforts and implemented certain adjustments, but along the way, I have observed on several occasions that something once thought to be freed has resurfaced, caught from a different angle, and while the bureaucratic chain has been reduced on one side, it has expanded on the other,” said Prime Minister Rama.

The Prime Minister emphasized the independence of institutions in the country as a key indicator of several factors influencing the developmental progress of the state and its institutions.

“Independent institutions are increasingly posing a challenge. The more independence we give to institutions, the more the institutional inability to manage becomes apparent, not in terms of political control, but in terms of performance within the state system.”

A classic example is how judges raised their own salaries. It was the most striking case of everyone else’s inability to say no. They filed a request to the Constitutional Court, claiming that the salary calculations showed an increase was necessary. The Constitutional Court then conducted its own calculation and determined that the increase should be even higher than what they had originally requested. This became part of a debate between us and them in a specific context. In other words, the increase should have been made according to the law, but it was delayed and influenced by interests and peculiarities,” said Rama.

/a.f/sm/