Brussels, 16 September 2025 (MIA) - All European Union member states agreed that our country is delivering solid reform dynamics related to the rule of law, Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani told MIA after the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting, which also discussed the Commission’s 2025 rule of law reports for candidate countries.

“The report acknowledges a number of reforms that have been successfully carried out, though there remain areas where we must channel further energy and effort to realize all of the proposals and recommendations. I underlined at today’s meeting that we do not regard these recommendations as weaknesses, but as directions that should be acted upon and resolved as quickly as possible,” Murtezani underlined.

He reminded that for the second consecutive year, candidate countries, including our own, are participating in the so-called rule of law mechanism, which had previously been exclusively for EU member states.

“From the support I witnessed today from all my colleagues in the member states, I am confident that the gradual integration, or phasing-in process, will accelerate, as it represents the proper approach not only for observing reforms but also for guiding and controlling their implementation,” Murtezani said.

Murtezani noted that some areas, including the Criminal Code, which should be addressed as swiftly as possible, along with recommendations concerning judicial independence and the media, are generally present in the reports for all EU candidate countries.

According to Murtezani, these issues have already been identified by the authorities themselves, and addressing them will contribute to strengthening democracy in our society. This includes greater involvement of the non-governmental sector, not just as observers but as partners in policy-making, enhanced transparency regarding media funding and ownership, prevention of hate speech, and increased independence of the judiciary in relation to its budget.

“There are some points that are crucial for initiating the process of restoring citizens’ trust in the judicial system,” Murtezani said, adding that although government, as the executive branch, is separate from the judiciary, it is nonetheless called upon to create all the necessary conditions for the successful implementation of judicial reforms in line with EU recommendations.

Commenting on the sixth Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, where four new negotiation chapters were opened, Murtezani said that Tirana’s pace in opening and soon closing these chapters should encourage us to begin our cluster-based negotiations as soon as possible.

“The momentum is here and we must ensure it is not missed,” Murtezani emphasized.

On the question of the likelihood of several new countries joining the EU by 2030, Murtezani noted that in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the perspectives of all EU member representatives, and the determination of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders, 2030 will be the year in which the EU aims to welcome as many candidate countries as possible.

“Thus, the 2030 framework is entirely achievable for us, provided we open negotiations quickly and advance toward their completion, after which we will await the final decision from the member states,” Murtezani stated to MIA from Brussels.

Moreover, at today’s GAC meeting, in addition to the report on our country, the reports on Albania, Serbia, and Montenegro were also reviewed.

Photo: MIA archive