After 29 years, Albania leaves the list of countries under monitoring by the Council of Europe for human rights issues.

The PACE Monitoring Committee, decided to close the monitoring procedure in respect of Albania and engaging in a post-monitoring dialogue with the country, on the basis of the report prepared by Ionu?-Marian Stroe (Romania, EPP/CD).

It welcomed the easing of the systemic political crisis in the country and the reforms implemented – in particular reform of the judiciary to ensure its independence, and the administrative territorial reform which has strengthened the efficacity of local self-government – as well as the adoption of a new legal framework for elections, based on a broad consensus between the political stakeholders.

In this respect, the committee stressed that the 2016 constitutional amendments had allowed for the complete reorganisation of the High and Constitutional Courts and the establishment of a High Council of Justice and a High Prosecutorial Council.

It also noted the significant progress made in the fight against still widespread and systemic corruption in Albania, and concerns about the intertwining of organised crime with economic and political interests in the country.

However, the committee expressed concern about the polarisation of the political environment, which undermines the country's system of checks and balances and limits parliamentary oversight. It also deplored the lack of implementing legislation for the 2017 Law on the Protection of National Minorities, and the deterioration of the freedom of the media.

The committee called on the Albanian authorities to address these concerns and recommendations regarding the fight against corruption, the protection of minorities, and media freedom and freedom of expression, and will examine the progress made in its next report as part of the post-monitoring dialogue.