The Beneficiary Steering Committee meeting of the “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” programme (Horizontal Facility III) highlighted the strategic importance of the European Union – Council of Europe partnership in supporting Albania’s ongoing reform efforts, particularly in alignment with European Union accession requirements.

Representatives from the EU, the Council of Europe and Albanian institutions convened today in Tirana to review progress of the programme, co-ordinate support and agree on next steps. Albania’s institutions reiterated their commitment to ensuring the long-term success of these reforms, which will continue to drive Albania’s European integration process.

Megi Fino, Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, reiterated the critical role of advancing Albania’s reform agenda and the EU accession process, as reflected in the recommendations of the Council of Europe’s monitoring bodies. She underscored the Horizontal Facility III key contribution to reforms in areas such as justice, human rights protection, anti-corruption, and anti-discrimination. “The EU integration process is not just about meeting technical criteria but ensuring that reforms are deeply embedded within our institutions,” she noted.

Ritva Heikkinen, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Albania, commended Albania’s progress on its EU integration path, stating “_______________________________________”

Claus Neukirch, Director of the Directorate of Programme Coordination at the Council of Europe, remarked, "As Albania marks 30 years of membership in the Council of Europe, we take immense pride in our active role in shaping reforms and laying the groundwork for a stronger European future. The Horizontal Facility has been instrumental in this journey, placing the rights of citizens at the heart of these reforms."

The meeting focused on the main challenges faced in the implementation of Horizontal Facility III actions. They collectively demonstrate a significant effort to enhance judicial efficiency, protect human rights, combat economic crime, improve property rights, fight discrimination, and safeguard media freedom in Albania, setting a solid foundation for future governance reforms.

Some of the key achievements include:

• Improved judicial efficiency through strengthened data collection and analysis tools for Albanian judiciary institutions.

• Trauma-informed therapy introduced for female offenders along with improved leadership and communication skills for prison directors and Directorate General of Prisons on safety and rehabilitation.

• Enhanced capacity of magistrates to investigate corruption, money laundering, and organised crime while upholding human rights.          
  Assistance provided to the Parliament in drafting an Action Plan for Good Governance, Anti-Corruption, and Rule of Law, including new lobbying legislation and political party financing reforms.

• Amendments to Law No. 133/2015 helped address property compensation backlogs.

• Revised anti-discrimination legislation in line with EU directives and Council of Europe standards.

• Media literacy and anti-hate speech initiatives organised with No Hate Alliance, media regulators, and civil society aiming to combat disinformation.

• Strengthened institutional collaboration to enhance journalist safety through improved protocols for police and judiciary.

The Horizontal Facility III is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe, running from 2023 to 2026. It supports the region’s efforts to meet its reform agendas in the areas of human rights, rule of law, and democracy, in line with EU standards, and plays a crucial role in Albania's EU accession process.           

Photos from the event

For further information, please contact:
Besnik Baka,  tel. +355 69 21 78 430