On 4 July 2022, H.E. Mr Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania visited the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he met ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański, ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan QC and ICC Registrar Peter Lewis.
In his remarks at the meeting, President Hofmański thanked Prime Minister Rama for honouring the Court with his visit and stated: “The Republic of Albania’s cooperation with and support for the Court as a long-standing State Party to the Rome Statute is highly appreciated.”
Prime Minister Rama said: “The Republic of Albania remains committed to international law and justice against most serious crimes committed worldwide.” Prime Minister, H. E. Mr Edi Rama reiterated “Albania’s support to the ICC and the Office of the Prosecutor in their crucial work to ensure the universality of the Rome Statute in providing justice for all victims of atrocious crimes”. “As member of United Nations Security Council (2022-2023) Albania will continue to uphold the responsibility to ensure accountability each time international law is violated,” he said.
The visit of Prime Minister Rama to the ICC highlights Albania’s support to the Court and the joint efforts deployed in the fight against the impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the international community as a whole. Albania signed the Rome Statute on 18 July and deposited its instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute on 31 January 2003.