The Council of Europe and the Constitutional Court of Albania have launched the project Strengthening Constitutional Justice and Human Rights in Albania, supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

The project aims to make the Constitutional Court more efficient, transparent and accessible, while supporting greater alignment of its jurisprudence with European human rights standards.

The launch event in Tirana gathered representatives of the Constitutional Court, international partners, and the Council of Europe to present the project’s vision, priorities, and implementation roadmap.

Lilja Grétarsdóttir, Head of the Human Rights and Justice Co-operation Department at the Council of Europe, opened the event alongside Dr. Fiona Papajorgji, President of the Constitutional Court of Albania, and H.E. Niklas Ström, Ambassador of Sweden to Albania. “We are here to support a Constitutional Court that is efficient, transparent, and accessible, and that can respond effectively to the demands placed upon it,” highlighted Ms. Grétarsdóttir in her remarks.

Experts from the Constitutional Court of Kosovo* and the Constitutional Court of Türkiye shared regional experiences, whereas Council of Europe specialists presented their initial analyses and lessons learnt from similar initiatives. Discussions focused on institutional priorities for developing a digital case management system and the next steps for implementation.

The launch marks the beginning of an important partnership, with the ambition to build a sustainable, modern, and user-centred justice system in Albania, ultimately benefiting people in Albania who rely on constitutional justice to safeguard their fundamental rights.

*All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, are understood to be in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.