Visa-free travel for Albania – the final steps

European Movement in Albania (EMA) and European Stability Initiative (ESI) in the framework of the project “White Schengen List” supported by Robert Bosch Stiftung organized on 16 November 2009 a conference entitled: “Visa-free travel for Albania – the final steps”, under the auspices of Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The speakers of the conference included Ms. Tanja Fajon, Member of European Parliament, rapporter of European Parliament on visa liberalization process, H. E. Mr. Ilir Meta, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H. E. Mr. Helmuth Lohan, Head of the Delegation of European Commission in Albania.

Other distinguished guest in the conference included H. E. Mrs. Majlinda Bregu, Minister of European Integration, ambassadors of EU Member States in Albania, civil society activists, university researchers, media and business community.
The conference was opened by Mr. Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director of EMA who explained the importance of this project and its contribution towards visa liberalisation. Mr. Gjipali highlighted the fact that visa liberalisation should be considered as an investment which is going to bring benefits to Albanian citizens.

The debate was moderated by Mrs. Alexandra Stiglmayer, Director of ESI’s “Schengen White List Project”.

During his speech, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foregin Affairs Meta was focused on achievements of Albania in fulfilling the benchmarks laid down on the Roadmap towards visa-free regime. Mr. Meta emphasised the fact that Albanian government will do its utmost to conclude this process. He stressed out “the process of visa liberalisation is of a dynamic nature, meaning that is interlinked with other dimensions of the European integration process, thus, it represents a serious undertaking of Albanian government”. On behalf of the government, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meta invited the civil society actors to continue the dialogue and cooperation on this matter.

Ambassador Lohan reaffirmed the potential of Albania to benefit from this process, underlining at the same time the remaining tasks, which are ahead for Albanian authorities. According to Ambassador Lohan, “government should go beyond adopting strategies and new legislation, because what it counts more is the appropriate implementation of the laws and strategies adopted”. He mentioned the need for strengthening inter-agency cooperation in the fight against corruption and organized crime.

Ms. Tanja Fajon, started her speech by explaining the resolution adopted in the European Parliament on 12 November 2009, concerning visa liberalization and the role of the European Parliament in this process before and after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. According to Ms. Fajon, visa liberalization process requires real efforts and reforms from all stakeholders. Albania should demonstrate its political willingness in fighting corruption and organized crime, in order to catch up with other Western Balkan countries, which will benefit from visa liberalization process, mentioned Ms. Fajon. She appealed to EU Member States about the situation in Kosovo, which should not be a black hole in the middle of Europe, but in the contrary, Kosovo should also benefit from opening the dialogue on visa liberalization.

Mr. Ilir Qorri, Programme Director of EMA held a short presentation on the historical background of visa liberalisation process for Albania. Mr. Qorri presented a scorecard, which compares the state of affairs in Albania concerning the fulfilment of the benchmarks laid down in the Roadmap towards visa free regime for the period between May 2009 and October 2009.

Mr. Etion Kapedani, Secretary General of Albanian Ministry of Interior emphasised the importance of IT system that is being applied in Border Crossing Points and its positive impact on improving the efficiency in the framework of fulfilling the required standards.

Conference was followed by a Questions & Answers session. The participant used this opportunity to express their views regarding the state of affairs of Albania in meeting the benchmarks laid down in the Roadmap towards visa free regime.