National Resource Centre for Civil Society in Albania Workshop: The Process of European Integration in Albania – Opportunities for the Involvement of Civil Society in the Negotiation Process in the Cluster of Fundamental Chapters, 26 April 2024, Shkodër

On April 26, 2024, at the premises of the Arka Center in Shkodër, a workshop with the topic ‘The Process of European Integration in Albania – Opportunities for the Involvement of Civil Society in the Negotiation Process of the Cluster of Fundamental Chapters’ was held within the framework of the National Resource Center for Civil Society. Integration experts Anila Dollani and Nirvana Deliu were invited to provide information on the topic.

Arbana Halili, coordinator of the Resource Center for CSOs in Shkodër, gave a brief presentation on the center’s objectives and the purpose of including CSOs in the integration process, with a special focus on local CSOs. In many cases, these organizations remain outside of the process, and their involvement is more difficult due to their lack of information and capacity.

Anila Dollani began her presentation by outlining the history of the EU journey and the union’s milestones. She then focused on Albania’s progress in relation to the EU accession process, discussing the new Enlargement Methodology presented by the European Union. Dollani explained how this methodology has facilitated the process of aligning Albanian legislation with the EU acquis, providing detailed information on the division of the clusters and the new perspectives this methodology offers. In the second session, she discussed the New Growth Plan dedicated to the Western Balkans, outlining its objectives, pillars, projected funds, and Albania’s interaction with this developing annex. Dollani also provided information on the Berlin Process and its impact on Albania’s journey as a candidate country. She concluded her presentation with an analysis of the legal framework in Albania, referring to the level of legislation approximation and the challenges encountered, as well as the structures created for the negotiation process.

Nirvana Deliu, an expert on European Integration and a researcher at EMA, expanded her presentation to several areas, beginning with a comparative assessment of the European Commission’s 2022 and 2023 reports with a focus on Chapters 23 and 24. She explained the progress made by Albania in these areas and how it is reflected in the evaluations of the reports. Deliu also provided information on the Partnership Platform for European Integration and how CSOs and other non-state actors can be involved in the integration process. She explained that one way to achieve this inclusion is through participation in Discussion and Consultation Roundtables, where civil society actors can provide and receive information on their areas of expertise or interest. Deliu concluded her presentation by explaining how and why these Discussion and Consultation Roundtables work.

The participants, with a general focus on civil society, raised questions and discussions on the information provided, on how their respective organizations can contribute to the integration process. The discussion concluded with an exchange of cooperation ideas, expressions of interest, and recommendations on perceptions of wider involvement of civil society and other non-state actors.