Albania and Macedonia started today the first explanatory screening of the EU legislation for Chapter 23 “Judiciary and Fundamental Rights” in Brussels. This is the first of a series of meetings to be held with the European Commission on various chapters for accession negotiations.

This process began following the decision of the EU Council of Ministers in June, which set the path for opening of negotiations with Albania and authorized the Commission to start preparatory work.The September 27 – 28 meeting marks the beginning of accession negotiations technical work, through which Albania advances in the negotiation process, ahead of the formal negotiations for EU membership.

During this meeting, the Albanian delegation will be acquainted with the legal acts and main European Union policies aiming at the establishment and development of an independent and efficient justice system. The meeting also addresses the fight against corruption and fundamental human rights and the rights of EU citizens, as guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Union legislation, including personal data protection, gender equality, children’s rights, minority protection, Roma inclusion and other issues.

The Albanian delegation in this meeting is headed by the Minister of Justice, Etilda Gjonaj and the Deputy Minister of Justice, Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Gent Cakaj, as well as representatives from the Albanian Parliament, the Ministry of Interior, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the High Council of Justice, the People’s Ombudsman, the Commissioner for the Protection from Discrimination, the Central Election Commission and other institutions.