Commissioner Patten's visit to Albania and Macedonia

The Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten will be visiting Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 5th and 6th December as part of the European Commission's close relationship with these two countries under the Stabilisation and Association process (SAp). In each case the objective is to review progress and encourage further efforts for reform. In Albania, Mr Patten will discuss the date for the opening of negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and outline the Commission's intention to conduct in parallel, a thorough examination of Albania's capacity to implement the future agreement. In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the Commissioner will meet senior figures in the new government. He will underline the urgent need to implement fully the "Ohrid" Framework Agreement and step up the fight against organised crime and corruption. In particular, he will announce the EC's interest in supporting the development of a new anti-riot capacity in the context of the overall police reform in the country.

On the eve of his visit, Commissioner Patten said: "The European Union is a union of values. Respect for human and minority rights, good governance under the rule of law with independent and impartial judiciaries, accountable and impartial policing, transparent and accessible decision-making are at its core. We hope that the SAp will lead to EU membership for all the countries concerned, but that will mean a very determined effort by their respective governments. Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia face common challenges. No agreement, however carefully negotiated, will count for much unless it is also implemented, with real impact in the areas that need attention".

Albania

Commissioner Patten will visit Tirana on 5th December, where he expects to meet the President of the Republic, Alfred Moisiu, Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ilir Meta, and Minister of State for European Integration, Sokol Nako. Meetings are also planned with the leader of the opposition, Sali Berisha, and with members of the Albanian Parliament. During his visit Commission Patten will give a speech at the University of Tirana.

Since the Commissioner's last visit in 2001, Albania has made progress in terms of political stability, notably through the smooth election of a new President this summer. This enabled the General Affairs External Relation's Council in October 2002 to adopt a negotiating mandate for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). This marks the beginning of a challenging process for Albania. It is essential that Albania equips itself to implement the obligations that will flow from the SAA, since failure to deliver on such an agreement could damage Albania's credibility and future prospects in its relationship with the European Union.

Commissioner Patten will be discussing with senior members of government, the need to step up their reform efforts, to comply with the future SAA. Progress is needed in the conduct of elections, the functioning of the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organised crime, trafficking and illegal migration, and property rights. The capacity of the public administration both to implement legislation and make good use of international donors' financial assistance also needs to be strengthened.

The EC is a major donor to Albania. In the period 2001-2004, €181.4 million have been allocated under the CARDS programme. Priority areas for this assistance include Justice and Home Affairs, including the strengthening of the judiciary, improving border management, and fighting organised crime, fraud and corruption. Other important areas are: Administrative capacity building, Economic and social development, including certain key areas such trade, education and local infrastructures; Environment and natural resources, and finally, Democratic stabilisation addressing particularly the strengthening of civil society in Albania.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Commissioner Patten will visit Skopje on 6th December, where he will meet members of the new government, including: the President of the Republic Boris Trajkovski, Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, Deputy Prime Minister Musa Xhaferi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilinka Mitreva. The Commission Services had already held talks with deputy Prime Minister Radmila Sekerinska recently in Brussels.

The European Commission is keen to see progress with the SAA which was agreed with former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia before the disturbances of 2001, and which now needs to become the central focus of the relationship with the EU. Progress in implementing the Framework Agreement laid down at the end of the troubles in August 2001 remains essential. Action here is crucial to implementation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's SAA, since 'stabilisation' and 'association' are equally important in the SAp.

The Framework Agreement is, however, only one component. The legal structure of the SAA must be also be implemented faithfully (and in this context the Commissioner will be pressing for a swift resolution of the outstanding issue related to the implementation of trade provisions for import of oil and oil derivatives, agreed in the Interim Agreement). With regard to other areas of the SAA, the Commissioner will welcome the new government's stated commitment to tackling corruption, and will reiterate the Commission's readiness to help with reform of the public administration through technical assistance.

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia can only integrate into European structures once a secure environment is achieved in which the rule of law is effectively applied. Reform of the security sector, and in particular the police, will therefore be an important focus for discussion during the Commissioner's visit. The EU is already committing significant sums of money to help strengthen the relevant institutions: €27.5 million for border control, and €3.3 million for the police, with a further €1 million to come next year.

The EU is helping the Ministry of the Interior to draft and implement a comprehensive Police Strategy Reform. In this context the EC Justice and Home Affairs Team in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (ECJHAT) is making an assessment of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's needs in terms of specialised police units. Special attention is being given to the development of an anti-riot capacity, competent to deal with a range of situations from peaceful demonstrations to armed unrest. Commissioner Patten will indicate the EC's interest in backing the project.

The EC continues to be a major donor to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. €130million has been allocated to the country under the CARDS programme for the three years 2002-2004. Priorities for spending include Democracy and the rule of law, Economic and social development, Justice and home affairs, Environment and natural resources. The EU has played an important role in reconstruction following the fighting during 2001, with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of over 1000 homes, restoration of electricity networks, and mine clearance over an area of over 200,000 square metres.


For more information:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/see/albania/index.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/see/fyrom/index.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/index.htm

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