🌐 NEWSLETTER July 2025
Second volume of Constitutional Court Guide presented On 14 July, at a high-level event, organized with the OSCE Presence, the Constitutional Court presented the second volume of the "Guide on the Constitutional Court’s case- law", produced with the Presence’s support. The publication summarizes the standards and positions taken in the Court’s decision-making since 1992 on the principles of law, separation of powers and substantive constitutional rights. It follows the first guide, which focused on individual constitutional complaints. The Presence supported the drafting of both volumes as part of its project funded by the USA, Italy and Greece. Visit of Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence On 22 July, the Presence welcomed a delegation led by Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne. The visit included a meeting with key Albanian stakeholders engaged in the Presence’s project “Strengthening Albania’s law- enforcement and prosecution capacities and multi-agency co- operation in combatting trafficking in human beings”, funded by the governments of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway and Italy. The Minister also had a separate meeting with the Head of Presence, Ambassador Michel Tarran.
Exchange with Portuguese, Scottish Kukës and Dragash together against Parliaments domestic, gender-based violence From 21 to 23 July, the Presence supported a visit of Around 50 representatives from Kukës (Albania) and an Albanian Assembly delegation, led by Secretary Dragash/Dragaš (Kosovo) municipalities met in General Gjonçaj, to the Portuguese parliament, to Kukës, on 16 July, to improve co-operation against exchange best practices on committee support, domestic and gender-based violence. The meeting, autonomy, management and parliamentary organized by the Presence and the OSCE Mission in diplomacy. Earlier, on 11 July, it supported a hybrid Kosovo, built on a session in Prizren in December meeting between the Albanian and Scottish 2024. Participants agreed to formalize co-operation parliaments on inclusiveness and public and develop a joint protocol. With the support of the engagement, following an exchange visit in December. Ambassador Tarran also discussed OSCE Mission to Skopje, the initiative aims to evolve parliamentary support with Minister for Relations into a broader regional platform for joint action with Parliament Balla, on 9 July. against domestic and gender-based violence. Ambassador Tarran visits Vlora and Kukës
In July, Ambassador Tarran visited Vlora and Kukës, where he met with the Prefects, civil society and participated in Presence-organized events. In Kukës, discussions focused on domestic violence, youth migration and the need for support for CSOs. In Vlora, the meetings highlighted co-operation on security, anti-trafficking and environmental protection, especially amid growing tourism. Both Prefects emphasized the importance of inter-institutional collaboration and requested further training support. Ambassador Tarran stressed the OSCE’s commitment to strengthening local institutions and civil society partnerships. The visits aimed to boost regional development and enhance cross-sector dialogue.
Boosting media prosecutors’ communication
On 7 and 8 July, in Vlora, the Presence organized a training session on strengthening the capacities of media prosecutors on public communication and media engagement. Prosecutors from General Jurisdiction Prosecution Offices enhanced their skills in crafting clear messages, preparing for media interviews and managing communication on sensitive cases. Media expert Valbona Sulçe led sessions on audience, messaging and media channels, while journalist Anila Hoxha discussed news values and source verification. Participants practiced public speaking, TV interviews and crisis communication through real-case simulations and peer reviews. The training aimed to strengthen transparency and public trust in justice institutions.
Promoting free legal aid in northern municipalities
Every citizen has the right to equal access to justice, regardless of their economic situation — because justice is a right, not a privilege. As part of the initiative to strengthen co-operation between the Free Legal Aid Directorate and local government, in July, the Presence held informative and collaborative meetings in the municipalities of Fushë-Arrëz, Malësi e Madhe and Vau i Dejës. These meetings served to build bridges of co-operation with local representatives and civil society organizations to support citizens’ access to justice. Activities included discussions with citizens and engagement with local media, in order to broaden awareness about the right to free legal aid for those most in need.
Building trust between media and police Meeting of International Election Working Group
On 17 July, the Presence held a special meeting of the International Election Working Group with Heads of Missions of OSCE participating States and international organizations. State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi presented reflections on the 11 May parliamentary elections, including participation, complaints and budget, and outlined priorities for electoral reform. Ambassador Tarran emphasized the need for an inclusive, transparent and timely reform to address the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. He said that the international community is committed to supporting Albania through strategic co- ordination and technical assistance. Participants www.reallygreatsite.com commended the CEC’s +123-456-7890 123 Anywhere St., Any City work and discussed next steps for strengthening electoral processes.