TIRANA, DECEMBER 21, 2010     Today, USAID, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the High Council of Justice, organized a conference “Toward more Transparent, Effective and Accountable Justice in Albania” to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the Albanian justice system, and to launch USAID’s new Albanian Justice Sector Strengthening Project (JuST). Represented at the conference were court chief judges and chancellors from across Albania, representatives of legal professional associations, civil society organizations, and the media.

The Minister of Justice, Bujar Nishani, and the High Council of Justice Deputy Chair, Kreshnik Spahiu, and USAID Albania Mission Director, Joseph C. Williams delivered remarks.

In his remarks, Williams affirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to continue assistance to strengthen the rule of law and democratic governance in Albania.

Minister of Justice Nishani and the High Council of Justice Deputy Chair, Kreshnik Spahiu, noted the importance of bringing all key players together to weigh in on pressing issues related to the need for more transparent and efficient functioning of Albanian courts. 

Conference discussions centered on ways to create a more robust university and continuous legal education, improve self-regulation of the legal profession, as well as better relations between the courts and civil society and the media.

The USAID Albanian Justice Sector Strengthening Project (JuST) is a five-year program, which aims to increase court transparency, fairness and efficiency, bolster the watchdog and anti-corruption role of civil society organizations and media, and strengthen the legal profession and education in Albania.