Ambassador Sorenca reacts to Ilir Meta's statement

Periskopi

22 May 2019, 21:05(7 years ago)

The head of the EU delegation, Ambassador Luigi Sorca, has reacted to statements by Albanian President Ilir Meta, who expressed concern over the argument given for non-participation by EURALIUS, the EU's mission for assistance in justice reform, at a table to resolve the problem with the Constitutional Court. According to President Meta, the answer [...]

According to President Meta, answer received by E presidency office URAIUS was: “At the meeting tomorrow, we can't come because we're a 481-second technical mission.

So, the President stressed, you're a technical mission and it means you got a political order”.

Top Channel asked the EU delegation in Tirana what their position was after President Meta's statements regarding justice reform.

“We have noted criticism of EU-funded technical assistance project for justice sector E URALES. Professionalism, commitment, hard work and the integrity of EURAIUS are commendable. Their assistance has proved necessary to advance the reform agenda, working closely with other partners like US OPAT, experts from the EU Member States and European Commission services.

This support has been requested by Albanian authorities and the monitoring role of the Commission and the US was unanimously approved by the Parliament at the time of adoption of constitutional amendments”, said to be responding via e-mail by Ambassador Louis Sorenca.

Reform in justice, according to Seoreca, is being implemented in full compliance with Albania's Constitution and relevant national legislation.

This is a complex process, but reform is on track and it is of great importance that all Albanian institutions support it. As far as the establishment of the Constitutional Court is concerned, it is certainly important that once the elections and the rankings of the Justice Council are complete, all competent institutions, including the presidency of the Republic, ensure that candidates are elected priorityally. We are convinced that such a task will be fully followed and in due time” points out.

The “Reform of justice and Albania's EU integration process should be a priority for any Albanian politician, a reason for unity, not division, for the benefit of citizens. The EU will continue its support for the reform process and will ensure adequate monitoring of standards in close co-operation with the US”, Ambassador Sorica has said.