Launching Activity of the Academy of European Integration and Negotiations (AIEN)

On May 12, 2017, The European Movement in Albania, with the support of the European Commission and in accordance with the Jean Monnet Program “Policy Debate with Academic World”, presented the European Integration and Negotiation Academy (AIEN), which will develop its Modules during May 2017 – short 2018. Mr. Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director of the European Movement in Albania (EMA), gave the introductory speech in which he discussed the Academy of European Integration and Negotiations (AIEN), the novelties it will bring, the purpose, the main focus of the negotiations, and the main chapters of the integration. An important element of the event was its diversity in backgrounds; The group that gathered included a variety of interests and experiences, thus creating a space where those who have had years of experience in their respective fields, as well as young people who are in the early stages of their professional careers, could interact. The Academy will focus on the most important Chapters of the EU-Albania Negotiation Process and will combine the theoretical framework with the practical one of this process.  Av. Florian Xhafa, Expert for European Integration, presented AIEN’s methodology and how it can serve to achieve the best possible outcome of the Stabilization and Association process. This process requires a review of legislation and an acknowledgement of the current situation so that the laws, rights, and freedoms that will be adopted and enforced may have the opportunity to better influence the actions and thought processes of politicians, the state, and the national population. A professional proximity to standard negotiation expertise is important to begin as soon as possible as a key development aggregate. Doc. Fjoralba Caka, a lecturer at the UT Faculty of Law and part of the AIEN Working Group, said that negotiations for European Integration need a strong and unshakeable structure, and that through the Academy we can foresee it. This is a political process as well as a technical one because it focuses on the country’s strategic interests and 35 chapters that include infrastructure, education, economy, free movement of goods, justice, etc. It starts with an economic aspect, to be as far from the culmination of the political character of the negotiations. She also expressed optimism for a successful collaboration between partners, supporters, and local and foreign academics who will participate as lecturers in various AIEN modules. The presence of professionally trained lecturers from EU countries, from the region and with long experience in negotiation issues is an added value for the Academy.