![Albania adopts judicial reform key for EU membership](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2016/07/_2/740x404/pic_1469185365.jpg)
Albania Adopts Judicial Reform Key For EU Membership
Sumaira FH Published July 22, 2016 | 04:02 PM
![Albania adopts judicial reform key for EU membership](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2016/07/_2/740x404/pic_1469185365.jpg)
TIRANA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd july,2016) : Albania's parliament on Friday adopted a key judicial reform to fight corruption and organised crime, a major step in its progress towards European Union membership. A NATO member since 2009 and a candidate to join EU since 2014, Albania was asked by Brussels to overhaul its graft-plagued justice system to join the bloc. All 140 lawmakers voted for the reform which had been blocked for months as the opposition was opposed to foreigners being included in a body tasked with examining candidates for magistrates. A political agreement was eventually reached following strong international pressure and even threat by the chairman of the German parliament's EU Affairs Committee, Gunther Krichbaum, to revoke country's EU candidate status. The EU hailed the vote as a "historic decision," praising "the maturity and responsibility" of country's political forces.
"It is also a major contribution to the fight against corruption and organised crime.
These are all key priorities for Albania on its path towards integration into the EU," the bloc's delegation in Tirana said in a statement. The reform will see judges and prosecutors appointed on merit and without political influence through a body composed of international experts.
The candidates should then be approved by a two-third parliamentary majority. The body will also examine if each of the estimated 800 serving judges and prosecutors meet the criteria. "The passage of justice reform is above all, a victory for the Albanian people," US embassy said in a statement. Addressing the parliament, Prime Minister Edi Rama said the "reform will pave the way to a real revolution in the judiciary." The Albanian government hopes to begin negotiations on EU membership by the end of the year.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
![Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019914.jpg)
Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard
![Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on refor ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019922.jpg)
Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on reform agenda, engagement with IMF
![Finland says Russian vessel violated its territori ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019912.jpg)
Finland says Russian vessel violated its territorial waters
![Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019266.jpg)
Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine
![West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019264.jpg)
West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third Test
![Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murde ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019262.jpg)
Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murder of nationalist ex-MP
![Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris ope ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019015.jpg)
Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris opening ceremony
![Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inau ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019638.jpg)
Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inauguration reception
![Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Z ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019637.jpg)
Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Zardari at Governor's House
![Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympi ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019635.jpg)
Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympic coach sent home: official
![Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fi ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019013.jpg)
Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fighting against SL
!['Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019634.jpg)
'Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: What we know
More Stories From World
-
Biden talks Gaza ceasefire efforts with king of Jordan
5 hours ago -
Sinaloa Cartel co-founder pleads not guilty after stunning US capture
5 hours ago -
Panama says Venezuela blocked ex-presidents going to observe polls
5 hours ago -
Ethiopia mourns victims of landslide tragedy
5 hours ago -
Khan Yunis fighting displaces 180,000 Gazans in four days: UN
5 hours ago -
Trump slams rivals as he meets Netanyahu in Florida
5 hours ago
-
Obama & his wife, Michelle, officially endorse US VP Kamala Harris for president
5 hours ago -
Rain, cooling slow huge blaze in Canada's Jasper park
5 hours ago -
Airbus and Boeing supremacy secure despite turbulence
5 hours ago -
S.African police detain 95 Libyans at suspected military camp
6 hours ago -
'Slapping therapist' guilty over UK diabetic woman's death
6 hours ago -
Panama says Venezuela blocked flight of ex-presidents going to observe polls
6 hours ago