This Thursday in Tirana, the second high-level meeting titled “Albania 2030 in the EU – The Path of Reforms” was held.
During his speech, Prime Minister Edi Rama focused on justice reform, emphasizing that ensuring its irreversibility remains a major challenge and a constant priority until Albania’s full integration into the European Union.
“The guarantee of justice reform’s irreversibility is the main challenge until we join the EU. This must remain a constant alarm. Justice institutions must be untouchable in terms of their existence. They must be protected from any political force that threatens to dismantle or overturn them, because this has happened before, and there is no reason to think it cannot happen again,” said Rama.
He stressed that while justice institutions can be improved, their existence must not be undermined, calling on institutions and society to defend reform from any political interference.
“We became independent in 1912, and from then until just three or four years ago, there had never been an independent investigation of any individual in power in Albania. We had ministers and MPs executed, hanged, exiled—but never tried by an independent court. Their fate was decided in political offices. When I entered the Prime Minister’s Office, the sword held by Lady Justice was already in there. That’s why, even after the fall of communism, Albania still had political prisoners. The leader of the opposition, my predecessor, was a political prisoner. Today it’s different—we’ve handed over the sword. Justice now acts through new institutions. It questions and accuses whoever it chooses. We have no regrets—this is the only way forward.”
Rama reiterated that EU membership is not just a political goal, but a guarantee of freedom and equality before the law for all Albanian citizens.
“The EU is a security perimeter where countries and peoples feel protected in their achievements, especially their individual freedoms and equality before the law. For us Albanians, it is essential to join the EU to escape the shadow of our past and ensure that our rights no longer depend on whoever governs in Tirana.”
He noted that Albania is progressing well in negotiations, having officially opened two clusters of chapters, with ambitions to open more soon.
On Governance and Procurement:
Rama highlighted Albania’s position as a regional leader in public finance management, procurement, and human resources administration.
“Albania is one of only 8 countries out of 137 globally that has shown deep progress in governance over the last decade. This recognition is meaningful, but it does not stop us from continuing toward consolidation.”
He also mentioned a new AI-powered model for public procurement, expected to be launched next year.
“We are working on a revolutionary AI-based procurement model, and we are confident that by next year, human involvement in public procurement will be only 5%.”
Rama concluded by reaffirming the government’s ambition and determination to consolidate reforms and move Albania closer to EU membership.
