EN    EN  COMMISSION OF THE E UROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 30.3.2004 
COM(2004) 203 final 
  
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with 
Albania  
(presented by the Commission) 
  
{SEC(2004) 374} 
 
 2    EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM  
The Thessaloniki European C ouncil of 19 and 20 June 2003 reit erated its determination to 
fully and effectively support the European pers pective of the Western Balkan countries and 
stated that “the Western Balkans countries will become an integral part  of the EU, once they 
meet the established criteria”. It endorsed the Council’s Conclusions of 16 June 2003 on the Western Balkans including the annex “The The ssaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans: 
moving towards European integration”, which aims at further intensifying the relations 
between the European Union and the Western Balk ans, building also on practices used in the 
enlargement process, inter a lia through the introduction of European Partnerships. The 
Commission has been invited to submit the first set of European Partne rships to Council for 
approval with the next Annual Reports on the Stabilisation and Association process (SAp) due end of March 2004.  
The European Partnership for Al bania is based on the provisions  of Council Regulation (EC) 
No. 533/2004. It identifies short- and medium te rm priorities for Albania’s preparations for 
further integration with the European Uni on identified in the Commission’s 2004 Annual 
Report and serves as a checklist against which to measure progress. The European Partnership for Albania reflects its current stage of prepara tion and is tailored to its needs. Albania is 
expected to respond to the Eur opean Partnership by preparing a plan with a timetable and 
details of how it intends to address the European Partnership’s priorities. The progress in implementing the priorities will be monitore d regularly by the Commission, notably in the 
SAp Annual Reports and through the structures set up under the SAp.  
The European Partnership prio rities should form the basis for programming of the financial 
resources making up Community assistance, which will continue to be the assistance provided for under existing financial instrument(s), in particular Council Regulation (EC) No 
2666/2000 of 5 December 2000 (CARDS). 
The proposed Council Decision ha s no financial implications. 
In view of the above, the Comm ission invites the Council to adopt the attached decision.
 
 3    Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with 
Albania  
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty esta blishing the European Community, 
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No  533/2004 on the establishment of European 
Partnerships in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association process1 and in particular 
to Article 2 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) The Thessaloniki European Council of 19 and 20 June  2003 endorsed the 
“Thessaloniki Agenda for the Wester n Balkans: moving towards European 
integration” where the drawing-up of Europ ean Partnerships is mentioned as one of 
the means to intensify the Stabi lisation and Association process. 
(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 sets out that the Council is to decide, by a 
qualified majority and following a proposal from the Commission, on the principles, 
priorities and conditions to be contained in  the European Partners hips, as well as any 
subsequent adjustments. 
(3) Council Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 states th at the follow up of the implementation 
of the European Partnershi ps will be ensured through th e mechanisms established 
under the Stabilisation and Association process, notably the Annual Reports. 
(4) The 2004 Commission's Annual Report presents an  analysis of Albania’s preparations 
for further integration into the European Union and identifies a number of priority 
areas for further work. 
(5) In order to prepare for furt her integration into the Eur opean Union, Albania should 
develop a plan with a timetable and details in terms of measures Albania intends to 
take to this end. 
                                                
 
1  OJ L 
 
 4    HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
In accordance with Article 1 of Council Regulation (EC) No 533/2004, the principles, 
priorities and conditions in the European Part nership for Albania are set out in the annex 
hereto, which forms an integr al part of this Decision. 
Article 2 
The implementation of the European Partnership shall be examined through the mechanisms 
established under the Stabilisat ion and Association process. 
Article 3 
This Decision shall take effect on the third day following its publication in the Official 
Journal of the European Communities. 
Done at Brussels, 2004  
 For the Council 
 The President   
 
 5    ANNEX  
1. INTRODUCTION 
The Thessaloniki Agenda identifies ways and means of intensifying the Stabilisation and 
Association process, inter al ia through the intr oduction of European Partnerships.  
Based on the Commission’s Annual Report, th e purpose of the Europ ean Partnership for 
Albania is to identify priorities for action in or der to support efforts to  move closer to the 
European Union within a coherent framework. The priorities are adapted to Albania’s specific 
needs and stage of preparation and will be upd ated as necessary. The European Partnership 
also provides guidance for fina ncial assistance to Albania. 
It is expected that Albania will  adopt a plan including a timetab le and details in  terms of how 
they intend to address the Europ ean partnership priorities. The pl an should also indicate ways 
to pursue the Thessaloniki ag enda, the priorities on fighting organised crime and corruption 
identified at the 2002 London Conference and at th e Ministerial meeting held in Brussels on 
28 November 2003 in the framework of the EU -Western Balkans Forum and the measures 
presented by each of the Western Balkan countries at the meeting of 5 November 2003 in Belgrade as a follow-up to the Ohrid C onference on integrated border management. 
2. PRINCIPLES 
The Stabilisation and Associati on process remains the framework for the European course of 
the Western Balkan countries, all the way to their future accession. 
The main priorities identified for Albania relate to its capacity to meet the criteria set by the 
Copenhagen European Council of 1993 and the conditions set for the Stabilisation and 
Association process, notably the conditions de fined by the Council in its Conclusions of 29 
April 1997 and 21-22 June 1999, the content of the final declarat ion of the Zagreb Summit of 
24 November 2000 and the Thessaloniki agenda. 
3. PRIORITIES 
The Commission’s Annual Report assesses progre ss made and notes areas where the country 
needs to increase its efforts. The priorities lis ted in this European Partnerships have been 
selected on the basis that it is realistic to expect  that Albania can complete them or take them 
substantially forward over the next  years. A distinction is made between short-term priorities, 
which are expected to be accomplished within one to two years, and medium-term priorities, which are expected to be accomplishe d within three to four years. 
The European Partnership indicates the main pr iority areas for Albania’s preparations for 
further integration into the European Union, based on the analysis in  the 2004 Annual Report. 
It should be recalled that where legislative approximation is concerne d, incorporation of the 
acquis  into legislation is not in itself sufficient; it will also be necessary to prepare to its full 
implementation. 
 
 6    3.1 SHORT- TERM 
POLITICAL SITUATION  
DEMOCRACY AND RULE OF LAW  
• Focus on reforms and ensure proper f unctioning of democratic institutions  – 
Ensure a political focus on the implementati on of the reforms necessary for progress 
within the Stabilisation and Associati on Process. Improve the rules governing 
Parliamentary Committees and investiga tive Parliamentary Commissions. Fully 
adhere to the Constitution and respect and implement the decisions of the Constitutional Court. Encourage the development of civil society and its active participation in the decision-making process.  
• Improve the functioning of the public administration  – Ensure enforcement of the 
Civil Service Law and take steps towards its  improvement. Take measures to prevent 
undue political interference in the functioning of the public administration. Produce 
clear guidelines as regards recruitment, tran sfer and dismissal for all civil servants, 
and implement them. Ensure that the Civi l Service Commission fulfils its duties in 
accordance with the law. Strengthen the functi on of the Secretary General in the line 
Ministries, Council of Minist ers and Assembly. Improve co-ordination between the 
line Ministries and the Ministry of Eur opean Integration. Stre ngthen the financial 
sustainability of the Training Institute fo r Public Administration (TIPA) and its 
training capacities. Prepare tailor- made training programmes for local 
administrations. Ensure that the planned revi ew of existing Albani an territorial units 
as well as the establishment of new territori al divisions is carried  out properly, with 
the involvement of all stakeholders. 
• Prepare the next Parliamentary and local elections properly and in time  - 
Implement in time the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations issued following the 2003 
local elections.  
• Strengthen the judicial system  – Take measures to increase transparency and to 
improve management in the criminal and civi l justice process. Foster the status of 
judges, and their independen ce and protection within the Constitution. Ensure that 
the right to initial and vocational training for judges and prosecutors is enshrined in 
the status of judges. Ensure efficient f unctioning of the “Serious Crimes Court”. 
Guarantee that judges and prosecutors  are selected a nd appointed through 
competitive examinations, in conformity w ith the Constitution and the law. Further 
guarantee that judges and prosecutors are promoted with adequate safeguards and 
through impartial procedures. Improve the functioning of inspec torates of both the 
High Council of Justice and the General Pros ecution Office, and ensure that there is 
no impunity for judges and prosecutors; provi de clear guidelines for the roles of 
separate inspectorates in the Ministry of  Justice and High Council of Justice. Adopt 
adequate legislation on w itness protection. Achieve a continuous increase in the 
execution rate of court sentences. Devel op a sound medium/long te rm strategic plan 
for the School of Magistrates with the obj ective of enhancing both its operation and 
financial sustainability. Ensure a proper follow up (investigation and possible 
prosecution) to public allegations of crimin al behaviour against specified persons.  
• Improve the fight against corruption –  Adopt the necessary legislation in order to 
harmonise the Albanian legal framework w ith European Conventions on Corruption 
 
 7    (in criminal and civil matters) ratified by Al bania. Improve the existing legislation on 
bribery and implement it. Ensure enforcemen t of the Law on Declaration of Assets. 
Implement the 2003-2004 Anti-Corruption Acti on Plan, and ensure that the next 
2004-2005 Plan includes realistic, precise a nd measurable anti-corruption measures. 
Strengthen the institutional capacity to inve stigate and prosecute corruption; ensure 
that the Specialised Unit attached to the Tirana Prosecution Office (dealing with financial crimes in general) also covers corruption cases. Reduce the list of officials 
covered by immunity, and grant immunity in  strict compliance with international 
rules and practices.  
H
UMAN RIGHTS AND PROTECTION OF MINORITIES  
• Improve the respect for human rights by law enforcement bodies  - Ensure that 
police, judges, prosecutors and other law en forcement bodies are fully aware of their 
obligations in terms of human rights, and that they implement them in accordance 
with international c onventions ratified by Albania, an d in particular the European 
Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Ad dress cases of ill-treatment by law 
enforcement bodies through effective pr osecution of perpetrators. Improve 
conditions of detainees and prisoners on re mand in police stations and take steps 
towards meeting international requirements in this area.  
• Guarantee freedom of expression and media  – Take measures to prevent the 
harassment and/or undue politi cal interference with th e press. Bring Albania’s 
legislation on defamation into line with EU standards, and implement it. Adopt 
adequate legislation for the print media and improve the legislation available to the electronic media, taking into  account EU standards. Take measures to ensure 
transparency regarding media ownership. Ensure the independence of the media 
regulatory body, namely the National Counc il on Radio and Television. Finalise the 
National Plan for Radio and Television Frequencies. Encour age investigative 
journalism, and take measures to suppor t the independence a nd professionalism of 
journalists.  
• Ensure respect of minority rights  – Provide accurate data on the size of minorities in 
Albania. Improve the legal framework on mi norities so that it meets the requirements 
of the Council of Europe Framework Conve ntion on National Mino rities, and ensure 
its implementation throughout the whole Alba nian territory. Impl ement the National 
Strategy for the Roma.  
R
EGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CO -OPERATION  
• Strengthen regional co-operation – Comply with Stabilisation and Association 
Process (SAP) requirements and Thessaloniki  commitments in terms of regional co-
operation. Ensure implementation of all regi onal free trade agreem ents concluded in 
the framework of the 2001 Memorandum of  Understanding for Trade Facilitation 
under the Stability Pact.  
• Implement international obligations  – Regularise Albania’s position as regards 
compliance with its WTO commitments.  Once the situation is regularised, ensure 
implementation of the revised schedule without further der ogations. Guarantee 
respect of commitments undertaken by Alba nia in the framework of EC relations. 
ECONOMIC SITUATION  
 
 8    FREE MARKET ECONOMY AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS  
• Ensure sustained macro-economic stability -  Maintain a stable macroeconomic 
framework in the context of the Intern ational Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. 
Demonstrate compliance with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) recommendations.  
• Improve the business environment  – Implement the Action Plan for the removal of 
administrative barriers to investment and for simplification of administrative 
procedures. Adopt improved commercial le gislation. Establis h clear rules and 
procedures regarding conditi ons for establishment, re gistration and operation of 
national and foreign companies, and ensure that they are compatible with SAA requirements. Ensure proper, non-discreti onary, non-discriminatory implementation 
of business-related legislation, rules a nd procedures. Implement the European 
Charter for Small and Medium Enterprises,  in particular the targets set for 2004. 
Ensure that the SME Agency is fully opera tional. Reform pre-paid tax system to 
make it less unfavourable for starting up comp anies. Continue preparation of national 
guarantee fund. Spread company registrati on possibilities throughout the country.  
• Develop a stable and functioning land/real estate market  - Adopt new legislation on 
the restitution/compensation of propertie s confiscated during the communist period. 
Ensure that this legislation provides a sa tisfactory answer to the vast majority of 
claims and take, in close co-operation with all relevant political  actors and owner’s 
associations, the necessary st eps to ensure its implementa tion. In particular, provide 
all data necessary to determine the land available for restitution or compensation, 
identify clearly the outstanding restitution claims, and develop a credible financing 
plan ensuring coverage of possible compensation costs. 
• Promote employment and social cohesion  – Develop, with the involvement of all 
relevant actors, a strategy to promote empl oyment and social cohesion, and start the 
strategy’s implementation. Take measures to  improve social protection systems and 
social standards, and to combat social exclusion and discrimination. Respect core 
labour standards and their effective enforcement.  
M
ANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES  
• Improve public finance management – Improve budgeting procedures through 
realistic revenue estimates, better prioritisa tion of expenditure and strengthened links 
between policy objectives a nd budget planning. Develop a comprehensive socio-
economic strategy, encompassing the curr ent National Strategy for Social and 
Economic Development (NSSED) and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework 
(MTEF), to which all financial assistance could then be linked; in this context, ensure 
that SAP priorities are duly taken into account. 
Develop a comprehensive Public Internal Financial Control Strategy Paper, taking 
into account EC requirements. 
Enforce the Law on Internal Audit. Ensu re the adequate functioning of the State 
Audit Institution (SAI), incl uding follow-up of its findi ngs and recommendations, as 
well as the prosecution of criminal cases. 
EUROPEAN STANDARDS  
 
 9    INTERNAL MARKET AND TRADE  
• Movement of goods –  Make further progress in adop ting European Standards. Adopt 
the draft decree on the organisation and func tioning of the Accredit ation Directorate, 
and ensure that the split of the function of  accreditation from those of standardisation 
and certification takes place. Take measures  to increase the awareness of economic 
operators in relation to these concepts, as well as to their importance in international trade. 
Improve phyto-sanitary and veterinary conditions in compliance with EC 
requirements, notably as regards those produc ts which have a strong export potential. 
• Customs – Stabilise and improve all aspects of the administrative capacity of the 
Albanian customs administrati on. In particular ensure the stability of the staffing and 
manage human resources in strict compliance with the relevant legislation. Strengthen the customs departments invo lved in the implementation of trade 
agreements, in particular the departme nt responsible for the origin of goods. 
Strengthen administrative co-operation in th e customs sector. Ensure that rules and 
procedures regarding trans it, valuation, customs ware houses, risk assessment and 
selectivity, and auditing (int ernal and external) are impl emented in accordance with 
EC standards and, where relevant, internati onal conventions. Ensure that the customs 
administration performs its re venue collection obligation in  compliance with the law. 
Take concrete measures to improve the fight against smuggling and trafficking. 
Implement the ASYCUDA system in Tira na’s Customs House and Durres port. 
Ensure the non-discriminatory applicati on of customs legislation, rules and 
procedures throughout the whole country. 
• Taxation - Start reviewing the present tax legisl ation and administrative procedures, 
and ensure effective and non-discriminatory enforcement of tax legislation. Intensify 
the fight against fiscal fraud. Proceed  with the ongoing reform of the tax 
administration, including the development/extension of an integrated computerised 
system. Settle all outstanding claims regarding tax exoneration for EC financed projects and establish an efficient system to ensure actual tax exemption for EC financed projects in accordance with the 1992 Framework Agreement.  
• Competition and State aids –  Adopt the implementing rules necessary for the 
implementation of the new Competition Law and start implementing it. Prepare for the establishment of an independent co mpetition authority, including through the 
strengthening of administrative capacity. Promote competition policy by fostering 
liberalisation, improving public procuremen t practices, ensuring a pro-competitive 
approach to privatisation. Adopt the nece ssary legal framework for State aids and 
promote transparency and basic enfor cement of the State aid principles.  
• Public procurement –  Enforce current public procurem ent legislation and take steps 
in order to approximate this legislation to  EC standards. Avoi d derogations to the 
principle of open tender, and ensure stri ct implementation of tendering procedures. 
Strengthen the Public Procurement Agency as well as public procurement entities in 
line ministries. Take measures to guaran tee adequate treatment of complaints.  
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) – Adopt new legislation on industrial property. 
Accede to the International C onvention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. 
Adopt the necessary legislation and streng then administrative capacity in order to 
 
 10    improve copyright protection. Take steps to further increase the awareness of 
economic operators, law enforcement bodies and the judiciary in relation to intellectual, commercial and property rights. Take measures to improve IPR enforcement.  
S
ECTORAL POLICIES  
• Environment – Start addressing toxic hotspots in Du rres and Vlora, and the issue of 
radioactive waste in Tirana and Fier. Ensure enforcement of legislation on 
environmental impact assessment and eco-t axes. Improve co-ordination between the 
Ministry of Environment and other admi nistrations dealing with environmental 
issues. Accelerate implementation of th e National Strategy of Water Supply and 
Sanitation, and the Rural Strategy of Water Supply and Sewerage.  
• Energy – Implement the 2003-2005 Action Plan and start implementing the Albanian 
Energy Strategy. Implement the commitments undertaken in the framework of the 2003 Athens Memorandum of Understandin g on the Regional Energy Market in 
SEE. 
• Telecommunications  – Ensure that the electronic communications sector is 
liberalised effectively including the st rengthening of regulat ory bodies and the 
adoption of suitable laws and policies for the sector. 
C
O-OPERATION IN JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS  
• Border management  – As a follow-up to the Ohrid regional conference on border 
security and management in May 2003, impl ement the measures that have been 
adopted by the Government and presented at the meeting of JHA ministers within the 
EU-Western Balkans (WB) Forum in Nove mber 2003. Develop an Integrated Border 
Management Strategy (IBM) in compliance with EC requirements. Strengthen law 
enforcement bodies responsible for borde r management, and upgrade management 
standards. Establish an ade quate risk-analysis system, in order to improve border 
management at border-crossing points and “g reen” and “blue” borders. Increase co-
operation with neighbouring countries, as we ll as collaboration between national law 
enforcement bodies involved in border mana gement, at the border and in connection 
with subsequent control activities. Impr ove equipment and skills of Albanian law 
enforcement bodies in order to ensure th e identification of forged/false travel 
documents.  
• Migration and asylum policies - Adopt and start implementing the National Strategy 
for Migration. Ensure that the necessary pr ocedures to sign and ratify the EC/Albania 
Readmission Agreement are comple ted as soon as possible in 2004. 
Formally adopt the National Action Plan on Asylum. Address the remaining gaps in 
Albania’s asylum-related legisl ation. Implement, especially in border areas, the “pre-
screening” system to classify persons in irregular situations within the Albanian territory. Respect the non-refoulement prin ciple. Ensure that the processing of 
asylum claims is carried out in accordance  with the law, and that time limits are 
respected. 
• Police – Fully implement the law on police rank s. Develop and start implementing a 
transparent system of discipline and prom otion. Improve police i nvestigative skills. 
 
 11    Establish a consolidated manua l of procedures for all the Criminal Police Officers. 
Establish clear rules in order to ensure adequate collaboration between various police units and the prosecutor’s office. Strengthen community policing. Ensure prosecution of police officers involved in corrupt ion and other criminal activities.  
• Organised crime, trafficking, drugs, money laundering and terrorism  – Implement 
the action-oriented measures against organi sed crime that have been adopted by the 
Government and presented at the EU-WB JHA Ministerial meeting of November 2003. Ensure that Albanian legislation clea rly defines the concept of “organised 
crime”, consistent with EU legislation a nd generally accepted international standards. 
Adopt and implement legislation on stolen  goods taking into ac count international 
standards and covering also goods stol en abroad. Ensure collaboration and 
information exchange between law enfo rcement bodies, state ministries and 
legislators involved in fighting organised cr ime. Within the limits of the law and in 
full respect of international standards, ex tend the use of Special  Investigative Means 
to all organised crime-related areas. Implement the Anti-Trafficking Strategy adopted in 2003. Take the necessary steps to prepare for the conclusion of an 
agreement with Europol. 
Enforce existing drugs-related  legislation. Ensure sustai ned efforts in the fight 
against the cultivation and trafficking of  cannabis. Prepare a National Strategy on 
Drugs in compliance with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan.  
Strengthen the capacity of institutions responsible for fighting money laundering; 
ensure adequate collaboration between these institutions, establish efficient working procedures and develop an appropriate case management system. Enforce existing 
money laundering legislation. 
Increase internationa l co-operation and implement rele vant international conventions 
on terrorism. Improve co-operation and exch ange of information between police and 
intelligence services within the State and w ith other States. Prevent the financing and 
preparation of acts of terrorism.  
3.2 MEDIUM TERM PRIORITIES 
P
OLITICAL SITUATION  
DEMOCRACY AND RULE OF LAW 
• Further improve the functioning  of the public administration  – Ensure that the 
sectors of the administrati on responsible for the implem entation of SAA provisions, 
as well as those involved in the implementation of EC  financial assistance, are 
adequately trained and equipped to carry out  their duties. Ensure that civil service 
legislation and related proce dures, including in terms of  career development, are 
improved in line with the requirements of a modern public administration, and that 
they are strictly implemented to suppor t the development of a well-prepared, 
professional, transparent and stable admini stration. Ensure that local administrations 
are in the position to implement decentralised policies. 
• Carry out the next Parliamentary and local elections in accordance with 
international standards.  
 
 12    • Further strengthen the judicial system  - Ensure prosecution of serious crimes, 
especially organised crime, with particul ar attention to cro ss-border co-operation 
mechanisms. Substantially reduce the cu rrent backlog and ensure the timely 
execution of court sentences. Ensure broad publication of court decisions. Ensure 
continued and adequate training of judge s and prosecutors, including in human 
rights, ethics and commercial  matters and SAA-related issues. Enforce legislation on 
witness protection. Further strengthen the independence of the Judiciary by 
effectively transferring the inspection of the judicial activities of judges from the Ministry of Justice to the High Council of Justice.  
• Further improve the fight against corruption  – Implement European Conventions 
on Corruption (in criminal and civil matters) ratified by Albania, as well as GRECO 
recommendations. Achieve significant result s in the fight agains t corruption, at all 
levels and in all fields, through en forcement of adequate legislation.  
H
UMAN RIGHTS AND PROTECTION OF MINORITIES  
• Ensure the respect of human rights by law enforcement bodies  – Ensure that 
detainees and prisoners on remand are treated in accordance with international 
standards. Guarantee that human dignity and personal safety is respected in detention 
centres, prisons and mental institutions, in accordance with international conventions. Establish an adequate juvenile  justice system. Ensure compliance with 
the CoE Convention for the Prevention of  Torture and Inhuman and Degrading 
Treatment or Punishment.  
• Ensure freedom of expression and media  – Enforce new legislation for printed and 
electronic media taking into  account EU standards. Ensure that TV frequency 
allocation is carried out in a fair and non-di scriminatory manner, in accordance with 
the National Plan, and that requirements are fully respected by broadcasters. 
Complete the transition of the Albanian RTV from a state television company to a 
neutral public service broadcaster. Encour age continued improveme nt of the quality 
of journalism.  
R
EGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CO -OPERATION  
• Strengthen regional co-operation – Conclude and implement a set of agreements 
with neighbouring countries in  the fields of organised crime, border management and 
readmission. Implement the Memorandum of Understanding of the South East 
Europe (SEE) Core Regional Transport Netw ork. Continue the implementation of the 
commitments undertaken in the framework of the 2003 Athens Memorandum of Understanding on the Regional Energy Market and make progress regarding the establishment of this market. Ensure  adequate regional co-operation on 
environmental issues.  
• Implement international obligations – Fully Implement international agreements 
and conventions ratified by Albania, in partic ular conventions in the fields of Justice 
and Home Affairs, human and minority rights, and trade.  
E
CONOMIC SITUATION  
FREE MARKET ECONOMY AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS  
 
 13    • Complete the privatisation process – in particular by privatising INSIG (financial 
sector),  Albtelecom (telecommunications sector), Servcom, Albpetrol, Armo and 
KESH (energy sector).  
• Further improve business environment  - Enforce improved comm ercial legislation. 
Ensure that judges are well trained on co mmercial and corporate legislation. Achieve 
significant results in terms of  fighting fraud and corruption. Put in place a strategy to 
combat informal economy in order to  guarantee, amongst other things, fair 
competition between companies. 
• Achieve a functioning land/real estate market - Enforce legislation on 
restitution/compensation of properties c onfiscated during the communist period. 
Complete land mapping and the process of land  registration. Ensure that transfers of 
property are carried out in accordance with th e law, and take measures aimed at the 
proper functioning of all bodies involved in the process (not aries, property register, 
etc). Ensure that provisions in relation to  land classification and the use of land are 
respected. Develop and adopt legislation fo r the taxation of land and real estate. 
MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES  
• Further improve public finance management –  Implement the Public Internal 
Financial Control Strategy. Further strength en external audit a nd ensure that both, 
financial control management and intern al audit, function properly. Establish 
effective procedures for the detecti on, treatment and follow-up of cases of 
(suspected) fraud and other ir regularities affecting nati onal and intern ational funds.  
EUROPEAN STANDARDS  
INTERNAL MARKET AND TRAD  
• Movement of goods – Ensure administrative cap acity to implement SAA 
requirements in this area. Make further progress in adopting European Standards. 
Establish a market surveillance system . Ensure improved functioning, taking into 
account EC practices, of the bodies responsib le for standardisation, accreditation and 
certification, as well as those res ponsible for metrology and calibration. 
Achieve substantial improvement in term s of food safety and phyto-sanitary and 
veterinary conditions, in compliance with EC requirements. 
• Customs – Ensure administrative capacity to implement SAA requirements. Ensure 
substantial alignment of customs le gislation and procedures, and their 
implementation, to EC legislation and pr ocedures. Guarantee proper implementation 
of rules of origin. Continue to ensure stability of staffing within the customs 
administration and to improve efficiency in  its management. Increase results in the 
fight against fraud, smuggli ng and trafficking, and reduce significantly those cases 
involving customs officials engaging in  illegal activities. Complete the 
implementation of ASYCUDA throughout the whole country and continue 
computerisation efforts. 
• Taxation  – Continue strengthening the tax admi nistration. Ensure full and efficient 
implementation of the VAT system. Impr ove communication with taxpayers, and 
simplify tax structure and procedures, in cluding refund procedures. Provide all 
 
 14    taxpayers with a unique iden tification number for fis cal purposes. Continue to 
strengthen tax collection and cont rol and develop an  audit strategy.  
• Competition and State aids – In line with SAA requirements, establish an 
independent competition authority. Enforce competition legislation, and prepare for 
the establishment of an operationally inde pendent State aids structure. Strengthen 
structures responsible for State aids and ensure progress towards both the completion 
of a comprehensive State aid inventory a nd the production of GDP data at NUTS II 
level.  
• Public Procurement – Ensure substantial alignment of Albania’s legal framework 
with EU acquis . Achieve fully operational public pr ocurement structures, ensuring 
strict operation of public procurement pr ocedures in complianc e with the law and 
SAA requirements. 
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) –  Properly implement international conventions 
ratified in the field of in tellectual, commercia l and industrial prope rty rights. Ensure 
a high degree of protection for IPR, and achie ve results in the fight against piracy 
and counterfeiting. Guarantee sufficient admi nistrative capacity in order to comply 
with SAA requirements in this area.  
SECTORAL POLICIES  
• Environment – Continue efforts to address toxic hotspots. Reduce the levels of dust 
and air pollution in urban areas. Reduce pollution produced by the Balsh refinery, 
including the discharge into the Gjanica Ri ver, and take measures to tackle water 
pollution in general. Continue to implem ent regional and international commitments 
in this area. Strengthen environmental mon itoring and ensure sufficiently dissuasive 
sanctions against polluters. Ensure implementation of th e National Strategy of Water 
Supply and Sanitation, and the Rural St rategy of Water Supply and Sewerage. 
Develop and start implementing a strategy fo r progressive alignment to the acquis in 
this area.  
• Public Health  – Strengthen surveillance and no tification systems for communicable 
diseases. Facilitate closer co-opera tion with the public health networks. 
• Transport -  Implement the transport Master Plan. Continue efforts to complete the 
East-West and North-South corridors. Make  substantial progress on the rehabilitation 
of Tirana Airport and the ports of Durres and Vlora, including in ensuring improved 
security and border management. Complete the privatisation of Durres port. Achieve 
improved results in terms of road safety, and take additional steps for further improvement. Implement the Memorandum of  Understanding of the South East 
Europe (SEE) Core Regional Transport Network. 
• Energy –  Continue to ensure the proper implem entation of Action Plans in relation to 
the electricity sector, and further progress with the implementation of the Albanian 
Energy Strategy. Ensure timely implementation of the various projects aimed at the 
improvement of infrastructure for electricity producti on, transmission and 
distribution. Continue to implement regiona l and international commitments in this 
area in view of establishing a competitive regional energy market. 
 
 15    • Telecommunications –  Transpose and implement the new EU framework for 
electronic communications. 
CO-OPERATION IN JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS  
• Border management -  Implement the Integrated Border Management (IBM) 
Strategy and all international commitments  undertaken by Albania in the area of 
border management. Implement risk analysis in relation to border management efficiently. Continue to st rengthen border management capacities; in particular, 
ensure that border management at Tirana International Airport, and at Durres and 
Vlora ports, complies with international sta ndards. Ensure improve d security features 
of new Albanian travel documents. Achi eve significant results in the de-mining 
process.  
• Migration and asylum policies - Implement  Albania’s National Strategy on 
Migration. Ensure that Albania is in  the position to meet SAA requirements 
regarding EC citizens working and/or residing in Albania. Ensure the enforcement of all readmission agreements that Albania has concluded; attempt to conclude readmission agreements with all countries of the region and with the countries of 
origin of migrants transiti ng through Albania. Progressi vely conclude, ratify and 
implement all of the main international conventions in the field of migration. 
Implement the Albanian National Action Plan on Asylum. Enforce asylum-related 
legislation and establish a fully-fledge d asylum system, in compliance with 
international standards.  
• Police – Continue to strengthen all police forc es, most notably through adequate 
training and equipment. Ensure functioning of a proper case management system, so 
that there is a well documented process of tracking cases from initial report to conclusion. Achieve significant results in the fight against criminality, and in 
reducing corruption and other crimin al behaviour within police ranks.  
• Organised crime, trafficking, drugs, money laundering and terrorism  – Further 
increase international co-operation. Achi eve significant results in the rate, number 
and quality of prosecutions in relation to offences connected with organised crime 
and trafficking, as well as in terms of th e seizure of proceedings from crime.  
Implement the National Strategy on Drugs. En sure substantially improved results as 
regards the fight against drugs  trafficking, especially hard  drugs such as heroine and 
cocaine.  
Reinforce the fight against economic and financial crime (including money-
laundering and counterfeiting of currencies). Es tablish an inter-ministerial agency for 
the purpose of seizing proceedings from crim e. Achieve tangible results in the fight 
against money laundering, both within and outside the financial sector.  
4. PROGRAMMING 
Community assistance under the Stabilisation and Association process to the Western Balkan 
countries will be provided  by the relevant financial instrument s, and in particular by Council 
 
 16    Regulation (EC) No 2666/20002; accordingly, this Decision will have no financial 
implications. In addition Albania will have  access to funding from multi-country and 
horizontal programmes. The Comm ission is working with the Eu ropean Investment Bank and 
the International Financial Inst itutions, in particular the Eu ropean Bank for Reconstruction 
and Development and the World Bank, with a view  to facilitate the co -financing of projects 
relating to the Stabilisati on and Association process. 
5. CONDITIONALITY 
Community assistance under the Stabilisation and Association process to the Western Balkan 
countries is conditional on furthe r progress in satisfying the Cope nhagen political criteria and 
in particular progress in meeting the specific prio rities of this European Partnership. Failure to 
respect these general co nditions could lead the Council to take appropriate measures on the 
suspension of financial assistance on the basi s of Article 5 of Counc il Regulation (EC) No 
2666/2000.  
Community assistance shall also be subject to  the conditions defined by the Council in its 
Conclusions of 29 April 1997 and 21-22 June 1999, in particular as re gards the recipients’ 
undertaking to carry out democratic, economic and institutional reforms. 
6. MONITORING 
The follow up of the European Partnership is  ensured through the mechanisms established 
under the Stabilisation and Association pr ocess, notably the Annual Report on the 
Stabilisation and Association process. 
                                                 
2 OJ L 306, 7.12.2000