TIRANA, November 20 – Minister of Justice Besfort Lamallari said in Parliament that the 2026 budget aimed to consolidate the Justice Reform. It would ensure the functioning of all system components. At the same time, it aimed to improve services for fairer justice for all.

During the plenary presentation of the Ministry of Justice’s draft budget, Lamallari said the 14.96 billion Lekë budget fully covered investment needs in the prison system. In particular, he said investments would go to new facilities and the reconstruction of several prison buildings. This would help reduce overcrowding and improve conditions. The prison system would receive 9.75 billion Lekë for better living conditions, higher security, and other investments. Lamallari mentioned the construction of IEPV Kukës and the reconstruction of IEPV Fushë-Kruja.

Meanwhile, for property restitution and compensation services, 2.83 billion Lekë were planned. These funds aimed to speed up pending case resolutions.

Lamallari added that every figure presented represented a continuing reform. Each measure opened a door for citizens, corrected an injustice, and applied a European standard on Albania’s path toward EU membership by 2030.

He said the 2026 budget supported the consolidation of independence and efficiency in new justice institutions. In addition, it aligned national legal frameworks with the European Union.

The budget also supported the expansion and improvement of public legal services. It aimed to make services more professional and dignified. It strengthened juvenile justice and rehabilitation. Moreover, free legal aid remained accessible to all citizens in need.

Lamallari said the budget was not only a financial instrument. It also acted as a driving force for the rule of law in Albania. It linked every investment to obligations and expectations from EU accession negotiations.

As a result, the budget ensured continuity of reforms. It increased capacity, strengthened transparency and accountability, improved access to justice, protected citizens’ fundamental rights, and consolidated public trust in justice.

Lamallari emphasized that EU accession was not just a diplomatic or bureaucratic process. Instead, it represented a daily transformation of the state and society. In this process, justice was the main pillar. He said the 2026 budget supported Albania’s progress in closing chapters 23 and 24. Consequently, it served a system that protected citizens, guaranteed legal security, and advanced Albania toward the 2030 vision of a rule-of-law state.

According to Lamallari, the next two years were critical for Albanians. Finally, citizens would experience European-standard justice with non-negotiable democratic principles.

/a.p./