The EU and Albania review progress on rule of law, justice reform and security cooperation

The 17th Subcommittee meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security between the EU and Albania took place on 3 and 4 March 2026 in Brussels. The European Commission and the Albanian authorities discussed the most recent developments in the areas of rule of law and fundamental rights, corruption and organised crime as well as security and home affairs.

The European Commission welcomed the continued progress in the implementation of justice reform, with the vetting process now approaching finalisation in appeal within the constitutional deadline of June 2026. Safeguarding judiciary independence remains essential to the rule of law, alongside continued efforts to further enhance accountability, quality and efficiency of the judiciary, particularly in view of the upcoming post-vetting phase. Albania also took important steps in the area of fundamental rights, including the adoption of legislation on data protection, media ownership transparency, gender equality, gender-based violence, rights of the child and on non-discrimination. Ensuring effective implementation will be crucial, while broader reforms are needed to further strengthen freedom of expression, media freedom, and safety of journalists, following a comprehensive consultation process.

Encouraging results were noted by the Commission in the fight against corruption, with the specialised bodies, including SPAK, continuing to deliver in several cases of high-level corruption. The adoption of key laws on corruption prevention represents another positive step, though attention now turns to their effective implementation. Further efforts are also needed to improve investigation and prosecution of cases in certain vulnerable sectors, such as public procurement. Following the revision of the Criminal Code, Albania is expected to continue aligning with EU legislation in the area of fight against serious and organised crime, together with the preparation of a new strategy and further strengthening the track record of proactive investigations, prosecutions and final decisions, including convictions.

Alignment with the EU legislation was also advanced across several security and home affairs areas. Progress was recognized in the field of cooperation on drugs, while the full operationalisation of the National Drugs Observatory and National Early Warning System remains a priority. Work should continue on the preparation for a national roadmap for the implementation of the new Joint Action Plan on Preventing and Countering of Terrorism and Violent Extremism for the Western Balkans. At the same time, Albania continues to implement the EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans and has adopted both a visa policy alignment roadmap and a Schengen Action Plan. Ensuring the full implementation of the asylum legal framework and further alignment with European standards in migration and border management will require continued efforts.

The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Sigrid Brettel, Head of Unit for Albania and North Macedonia at the Directorate General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighborhood of the European Commission, Mr. Tedi Dobi, Deputy Minister of Justice of Albania, and Ms. Silva Caka, Deputy Minister of Interior of Albania.

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