A tour on the Progress Reports of European Commission for Albania

European Movement in Albania (EMA) in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) organized on 18 December 2009, the second policy forum of the European Integration. This forum was focused on the presentation of a policy paper on EC Progress Reports for Albania and on its preparations in the process of obtaining the EU candidate status. The activity brought together representatives of Albanian government, diplomatic corps, academic and civil society.

The team of EMA policy researchers prepared a policy paper entitled “A tour on the Progress Reports of European Commission for Albania” which was a comparative analysis of the three last EC Progress Reports for the period 2007-2009. The paper was focused mainly on the political criteria, which is linked directly with the existence of a functioning democratic system as well as with the Albania’s accession into the European Union. Progress Reports of European Commission are valuable tools, which should be assessed carefully and be addressed through concrete actions by Albanian authorities in order to obtain the EU candidate status.

The policy forum was opened by Mr. Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director of European Movement in Albania (EMA). In his introductory remarks, Mr. Gjipali underlined the role that all the stakeholders involved in this process should play in order to advance the European integration of the country.

The paper “A tour on the Progress Reports of European Commission for Albania” presented by Dr. Mirela Bogdani (coauthor) on behalf of the policy research team of EMA identified the progress achieved, existing shortcomings, as well as recommendations provided. Dr. Bogdani emphasized that EC Progress Reports for Albania shows that the progress achieved during these years are mainly expressed in the adoption of laws, strategies and action plans, as well as in establishing new structures and institutions. Implementation of policies and legislation are the main problems, frequently repeated in EC Progress Reports.

The policy paper concluded that: “Current panorama of political dialog, judicial system, corruption and organized crime, public administration, and freedom of media, is hindering the democratization and Europeanization process in Albania. The comparison of EC Progress Reports point out no substantial progress in the above areas, since the recommendation of EC are repeated every year”.

Mr. Thomas Van Handel, Head of Political, Economic and Information Section of the European Union Delegation to Albania, commented on the latest developments of this process stressing that Albania should focus on the implementation of policies and strategies. According to Mr. Von Handel the answers of the EU questionnaire should be as much as realistic in order to give a real reflection of the current situation. In this respect, “EC Progress Reports are different from the assessment of the answers by the Albanian public administration, because this assessment will present a “photograph” of achievements and recent situation” – emphasized Mr. Von Handel. The end of 2010 is considered as most likely period when European Commission will present to the EU Member States its opinion for Albania’s readiness to obtain the EU candidate status.

Mrs. Ilda Zhulali, Director of EU Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during her speech highlighted the commitments of governments and its structures for meeting all the benchmarks in framework of European Integration. Mrs. Zhulali was focused particularly on the preparations of state administration in responding in the shortest time the questions of the EU questionnaire. “The cooperation with all stakeholders involved in European integration processes of country such as civil society, academics, business community and media should be increased and put in service of common purpose” ended her speech Mrs. Zhulali on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Andi Dobrushi, Executive Director of Open Society Foundation for Albania (OSFA) during his speech pointed out the positive and encouraging role that civil society played in promoting and encouraging this process. According to Mr. Dobrushi, “A coherent critical approach to European Integration process of Albania in undertaking the required reforms enables public debate on this process by clarifying that”.

The policy forum was followed by a discussion session where participants shared their views concerning the status of affairs of the reform process in Albania during the three last years.

Here you can download EMA’s policy paper “A tour on the Progress Reports of European Commission for Albania” in both English and Albanian languages: