2020 aim to increase engagement between member states and candidates through regular summits and ministerial meetings. 3.2 EC PROGRESS REPORT 2020 ON ALBANIA: AN OVERVIEW The 2020 Commission’s report on Albania considers the country’s judicial system as moderately prepared. 7F 8 The level of preparation for the public administration reform is also moderate. Strengthening administrative capacities and professional standards of bodies charged with the implementation of the EU acquis is an ongoing challenge. 8F 9 Regarding the fight against corruption and fight against organized crime, Albania has some level of preparation and needs to further structure and increase efforts especially concerning the number of prosecutions and final convictions. Concerning fundamental rights, the implementation of international human rights instruments needs to be strengthened. The Law on the Protection of National Minorities needs to be implemented. Freedom of expression remains a concerning aspect, though Albania is evaluated as moderately prepared in this regard. Particularly problematic is the draft media law, its censorship aspect, and the possible restrictions to freedom of expression it could cause. About the economic criteria, the legal certainty of businesses needs to be improved alongside the skills gap, lack of entrepreneurial know-how, and quality of infrastructure. The Commission acknowledges some progress concerning the above-mentioned policy areas, such as: • The adoption of amendments to the electoral code per the 5 June 2020 agreement thus meeting the condition for the first IGC(p. 4); • Some progress in enforcing the guidelines on regulatory impact assessments across line ministries, in developing the legislative package related to policy planning, in increasing the number of e-services and improving transparency in data collection and human resources management between central and local level(p. 5); • The selection of three non-magistrate candidates for the High Court, thus allowing one of the chambers of the Court to function and meet the related condition for the first IGC(p. 5); 8 European Commission,“Albania 2020 Report”, Commission Staff Working Document , SWD(2020) 354 final, Brussels, October 6, 2020. Accessible at: https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/default/files/albania_report_2020.pdf 9 European Commission,“Albania 2020 Report”, 8. 9