European Commission adopts Annual Programme for Albania

In 2003, within the Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation (CARDS) Programme, a total of € 46.5 million will be spent in assisting Albania in its reform and modernisation efforts. The 2003 programme's main focus is on the fight against crime and economic development. Since 1991, the European Union has been the largest donor of assistance to the Western Balkans.


Albania - Priorities within the Annual Programme 2003 (€ 46.5 million)


Fighting crime (€ 20 million)

This component will contribute to the establishment of rule of law, through a two-pronged approach: a) investments in basic infrastructure such as the renovation of two courts of appeal (Korça and Vlora) and the construction of a serious crimes court in Tirana; and b) institution building and training. Here the focus is on training of court administrators, improving police asset management, introducing a system of pre-screening of asylum seekers and migrants and improving border controls. A task force will be established to support the Albanian government's fight against crime.


Public administration (€ 8 million)

This component focuses on general support to public administration building, improving the collection of taxes and duties, thus ensuring state revenue.


Developing the economy and supporting local communities (€ 17.5 million)

This component consists of a host of smaller projects to stimulate trade: certification of standards, setting up a standards testing and accreditation body, setting up a market surveillance system for the protection of consumers and the promotion of free trade, improving veterinary and phytosanitary inspections, and creating animal disease monitoring systems. This component also includes education projects and a fund for the support of local and rural communities of € 7.5 million.


Democracy (€ 1 million)

The objective is to contribute to the practice of democracy in Albania for example by helping to establish a central computerised civil register on which accurate voters lists can be based.


Background

Since 1991, the European Union has been the largest donor of assistance to the Western Balkans. Since the establishment of the Cards programme for the Western Balkans in 2001, € 128.9 million has been made available to Albania in technical assistance (this amount includes the € 46.4 million of 2003). The main area of work is justice and home affairs (€ 56 million), followed by economic development (€ 40.4 million) and by administrative capacity building (€ 21 million). The 2001 and 2002 programmes are at present being implemented.


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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects

| Haut |