In his opening remarks at a regular meeting, the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Fatmir Xhafaj highlighted the fact that the analytical documents have been open to a broad consulting process and international consultancy assisting the Commission.

Socialist lawmaker stated that the document was extremely important given the issues it addresses and it definitely serves the European integration process.

According to him, the analytical document clearly reflects commitment and the EU recommendations as part of the country’s European integration, and the country’s efforts to build independent, accountable and effective institutions.

“By independent institutions, I don’t mean the justice bodies, but a series of other independent institutions of the Albanian state, which are accountable and subject to the parliamentary control and oversight,” he said.

The Special Anti-Corruption Commission has been established as part of the efforts to intensify the fight against corruption and advance good governance and the rule of law in the country.

The Commission comprises 11 members, with six from the majority and five from the opposition. To ensure transparency and inclusivity, a mix of local and international experts will collaborate, bringing insights from justice institutions, academia, civil society, and the media.

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He reminded that Veliaj has been voted for 3 consecutive terms by the citizens of Tirana.

“Being a lawmaker in Tirana, I have seen Veliaj’s daily work for the capital of the country, for the largest municipality, for managing all the affairs of a city that grows every day and the growing challenges it faces. I have seen the popular support that Erion Veliaj had in being elected as mayor of Tirana. Not even his most ardent opponents in politics, the media and public opinion deny this fact. I firmly believe that this is also the main reason why he is being fought so fiercely and often with blows below the belt,” wrote Xhafaj.

Further on, he emphasized the approach of the Parliamentary electoral battle, the 37 mandates in Tirana, which made the opposition focus its entire pre-electoral battle on the Tirana Municipality and directly on Erion Veliaj for months. What the opposition could not do for over 10 months and about 50 weekly and often violent protests, it achieved with a court ruling about 90 days before the elections, which imposed the security measure of “prison arrest” for the Mayor of the capital and one of the main political leaders of the Socialist Party for the Tirana region, wrote Xhafaj.

“Personally, I am one of those who believe that Erion Veliaj, as far as I know him and how I know him, is not a corrupt official. No one is infallible, but I do not see his mistakes, even if they are such, as corrupt approaches. I do not know the entire case in detail and I do not claim to know it in essence, but as far as I have read and with the knowledge I have of how this process was structured, I have my own questions about the way it began and how it was proceeded in this criminal case. I fear that we are before a case where a person and his life are investigated in order to find criminal facts against him and not before what the law allows and requires, that is, that the specific criminal offense is investigated and from there it goes to the responsibility of the specific person whose guilt or not is determined by the judicial decision-making of both levels and not by the investigator and prosecutor”, wrote Xhafaj.

Further on, Xhafaj pointed at what he appreciated as, “an unfair process in terms of procedure.”

“Let’s be clear, no one is and should not be above the law. We are all equal before the law and everyone can and should be investigated and judged regardless of political, institutional and social status. Erion Veliaj, too, undoubtedly YES”, emphasized Xhafaj.

“As a legislator, as a representative elected by the votes of the citizens of the Municipality of Tirana, I have every right to demand that all of this should be carried out with objectivity and impartiality and through a due process of law, in compliance with constitutional principles and the provisions of the criminal procedural law, always taking into consideration human rights and freedoms and undoubtedly also the public interest and public safety,” wrote Xhafaj.

He also wrote that, “In the conditions when the inventories of clothing have been released in the media market (not without purpose given in that way and with those details), public opinion deserves to be clarified about them, despite the fact that, as can be seen from the court decision made public, there is no direct connection between those “facts” and the accusation of corruption against the Mayor.”

Xhafaj concluded by writing that, “Expressing my support for Erion in his legal and political battle, I ask him, even in the current conditions of isolation, to make full transparency about the accusations raised as an obligation to public opinion, the citizens and citizens of Tirana, as well as in front of the judges who will judge him and decide on his truth.” /r.e/p.s./

During the meeting organized by the Chairman of the Special Commission Fatmir Xhafaj, there participated about 60 experts and representatives of independent institutions, organizations and civil society, the academic world, representatives of the business community who will engage in the 3 areas of the object of this commission’s activity.

Xhafaj thanked the participants for their commitment and involvement in the process, as well as acquainted them more concretely with the purpose, objectives and relevant phases through which the work of the special commission will go.

The process is focused on the contribution and direct engagement of experts for the drafting of the analytical/analysis document; National Action Plan based on the findings of the analysis, as well as the proposal of solutions and relevant legislative and institutional measures.

Today, there began the 1st phase of the Reform process that will serve for the drafting of the Analytical Document/analysis for the three areas.

The drafting of this document will be based mainly on the findings, evaluations and recommendations of the reports of the European Union and the “screening” report of the European Commission for the first chapter, the guidelines drawn up by the government “On the rule of law”, “Reform in public administration “, the Inter-sectoral Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2030, as well as international reports and those sent by civil society organizations operating in our country.

All documentation has been placed at the disposal of the High Level Expert Group, divided into 3 sub-groups: good governance, anti-corruption and rule of law.

They will work independently and autonomously throughout this process, which will continue to be monitored and assisted by international partners.

During the month of August, the groups of experts will engage in getting acquainted, scanning and analysis of the documentation made available, identifying the evaluations, findings, problems and relevant recommendations for the 3 areas subject to the work of the Special Parliamentary Commission. /a.f/p.s./

“High-level experts – who will be selected on the basis of proposals from the academic world, civil society, interest groups and independent institutions. Firstly, through a very in-depth analysis process, they will provide the appropriate form and content to this analytical document,” Xhafaj said.

“Transparency is the second important principle guiding the process. The third important principle is professionalism. The high-level experts group who will represent the best capacities – in good governance, anti-corruption issues and the rule of law- will be approved next week,” he said.

The entire process and its results must be in accordance with international standards and criteria in these areas,” Xhafaj concluded. //a.i/

The opposition was not present at the commission’s proceedings.

The Chairperson of the Special Commission Fatmir Xhafaj stated that this commission is responsible for the integration of the country into the European Union by 2030. Xhafaj expressed his regret for the absence of the opposition.

“The participation of the opposition in this process is important for the purpose that this reform will address “, Xhafaj emphasized.

According to Xhafaj, “This commission will address vital issues for the citizens of this country, which go beyond our parties”.

On May 30, the Assembly approved by 74 votes in favor and 6 against the draft decision “On the establishment of the Special Commission for Good Governance, Rule of Law and Anticorruption for Albania 2030 in the European Union”.

The Special Commission aims to draft and approve a long-term and sustainable National Action Plan for addressing the relevant challenges in these areas, recommending concrete measures for possible legal and institutional changes, which must be addressed in each field from the relevant institutions. /a.f/r.e/p.s./

Xhafaj ranked 23rd on the Socialist Party list in Tirana, where the governing majority has secured 18 seats in the April 25 parliamentary elections. With the ballot papers in 955 out of 1243 polling stations in Tirana, Xhafaj has 13, 241 votes, enough to secure him a seat in the new parliament.

“The data on vote count are now public and I have exceeded the required threshold to become member of the parliament in its upcoming legislature. Together with the campaign team we are monitoring the ongoing vote counting process to respect any votes in every ballot box,” Xhafaj said in a statement, extending his appreciation to all his supporters in the Sunday’s elections.

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In a statement to the media, Xhafaj said that, “I invite all the citizens of the Tirana region to vote peacefully and completely freely any political force or candidate that they think can represent in the most dignified way their long-standing dream about a state providing security and order.” //a.i/

In his remarks, Xhafaj emphasized that, he would accept the challenge even if he would have been ranked 31st on the SP candidates list.

“I have started a battle and I shall go on to the end. The battle for justice in this country. In the name of this lofty goal, in the name of this cause, I would be ready to accept the challenge even if I would have been ranked 31st on the SP candidates list,” Xhafaj said.

“According to this system, regardless of ranking, there is a list made by the chairmanship,  the chairman, and also there is a ranking determined by the votes of the Albanian voters. I am optimistic that I will exceed the required number of votes and I will again be elected a member of the Albanian Parliament,” Xhafaj added. //a.i/

In an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), Etien Xhafaj, Socialist candidate in Tirana district and the political envoy of the ruling party in Rrogozhine and Kavaje, also Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, said that the political party he represents is investing for every citizen, regardless of their political affiliations.

Commenting on the government’s second term in office, Xhafaj noted that the country and the Socialist ruling majority had to cope with the worst natural disasters of the 21^st century.

“I believe everyone knows this hasn’t been an easy term due to the fact that the government has been through two of the worst natural catastrophes to happen in 21^st century, namely the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating earthquake that hit the country on November 26, 2019, which caused huge damages,” Xhafaj said.

“However, despite all of these disasters and their impact on the country’s economy, the government has delivered on its promise to help all quake-affected citizens and build around 72.000 housing units, as well as a huge number of educational facilities. The post-earthquake reconstruction process in Kavaje and Rrogozhine is progressing too quickly,” he said.

Xhafaj noted that the Socialists’ platform focuses on major investment projects that support economic development not only in the areas the investments are made, but in the whole region.

“One of the main problems in the developing countries is that the economic projects take time to complete. Therefore, we are exploring a long-term development plan, not only for this area, but the entire country. This plan includes major infrastructure projects with significant impact on economic development of the country,” Xhafaj said.

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The former minister and former head of the Ad Hoc Committee on Judicial Reform, Xhafaj said that he has accepted the challenge of positioning beyond the list security limit, considering it as a duty to the citizens and as a principle to go all the way to justice reform, the largest project implemented during the Rama government.

The Socialist Party MP underlined that, “all our battles for the empowerment of the rule of law are at a defining moment: Either we will conclude together all that we have started with so much effort and sacrifice, or we will inevitably end in the endless abyss of those who, before being presented as an alternative, first need to be freed from injustice, dishonesty and moral corruption.”

“With the conviction and support of all those who believe in me, I will continue to work with full strength and courage. I will spend all my energy on the indelible debt of trust of every socialist and honest citizen who has never spared support for me even in the most difficult days. Albania of the future. Equal justice. Punishment of corruption. SP to win a third term,” Xhafaj said. //a.i/