Forum: Unfolding the EU integration process- Shkodër

On 26 June 2012, EMA supported by the British Embassy in Albania and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), organised at the premises of the EU Info Center in Shkodra the forum entitled: “Unfolding the EU integration process”. Students, academics and local media representatives attended the forum.

The event was opened by the welcoming speech of Mr. Gledis Gjipali, EMA’s Executive  Director, who emphasized the importance of public/youth engagement in the process of European Integration. By outlining the lack of information sources, Mr. Gjipali stressed the need for more debate and paths to avoid common perceptions.
As part of the introductory speech, Mr. Blendi Dibra, coordinator of the Youth Parliament, further expanded on youth encouragement, by stressing the need for greater inclusion and youth participation. According to Mr. Dibra this can be achieved by providing information on activities the youth centre organises with the aim of enhancing civil engagement in different local governmental processes, especially on the grounds of European Integration process.

Considering that the public interest regarding the European Integration process is explicitly concentrated on the political dimension, Mr. Clive Rumbold, Head of Political, Economic and Information Section, Delegation of the EU to Albania, gave a detailed information on the 12 key priority areas the European Union has put forward for Albania to fulfill, as a means to achieve the candidate status.  In addition, Mr. Rumbold emphasised the need for more public awareness on the different stages of the European Integration process, as well as, the benefits that follow the EU membership.

Furthermore, Miss Hannah Batchelor, Political Officer of the British Embassy in Tirana, argued that special importance should be given to the justice reform. Miss Batchelor, specified the main stagnating points of the judicial processes in Albania (inter alia, the need for de-politicisation and impartiality of the justice system, as well as, a more unified and effective approach towards law enforcement), while making it clear, that the reforms should be completed only for Albania’s sake: ‘Don’t do it for us. Do it for you’.

Mr. Jay Porter, Political Officer of the Embassy of the USA in Tirana, in a demonstrative manner, clarified on how civil engagement can take place. During his speech, Mr. Porter gave special significance to the role of civil society and youth participation in Albania’s decision-making process on its path to EU membership. By giving inspiring and motivating examples of public action, Mr. Porter underlined the need for a continuous approach on enhancing civil engagement.

The conference was followed up by a discussion section, where the participants orientated their questions to the panel.