Speaking at the panel on judicial reform and the vetting process during the conference “30 Years of Partnership and Progress: Albania, the Council of Europe, and the Venice Commission,” held today in Tirana, Suchocka noted that cooperation between Albanian authorities and the Venice Commission began in 1995 with the Albanian Constitution and has been crucial for the consolidation of the judiciary.

She added that judicial reform remains one of the most challenging tasks, not only for Albania but for all post-communist countries, due to the need for independent judges.

“The Venice Commission has a long history with Albania, beginning 30 years ago in 1995 with the Albanian Constitution. This shows that the Venice Commission has been involved from the start in building the country’s legal and democratic foundations. Judicial reform is one of the most difficult tasks, not only in Albania but across post-communist countries, because their previous systems were created under one-party rule, making it challenging to change the mindset and establish judicial independence and autonomy,” she said.

As to the Venice Commission’s opinions, Suchocka noted, “Many of these opinions focused on the judiciary and were considered the strongest safeguards for maintaining judicial independence.”

“Justice must not only be done but also be seen to be done, allowing society to clearly perceive a truly independent judiciary. Additional safeguards are needed to strengthen and further empower its autonomy,” she added.

Suchocka remarked that Albania is striving to tackle corruption effectively through the vetting process.

“Albania has collaborated with the Venice Commission to identify the best solutions. A proposal to dismiss all judges was not accepted, as the Commission stressed that vetting should proceed without removing every judge, which would create additional issues,” she said.

Suchocka highlighted the significance of new safeguards for judicial autonomy and Albania’s ongoing efforts to fight corruption through the vetting process.

“The judicial appointment process includes proposals to establish specialized bodies, such as state judicial councils, which would play a role in these appointments. These councils must be primary, independent, and autonomous institutions. Current discussions focus on how to structure them—whether judges should form the majority or if specific members should be included, which bodies will appoint council candidates, the role of non-judicial members, and how society will be represented,” she explained.

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