WRITTEN QUESTION E-3145/00

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(6 October 2000)

Subject: Reestablishment of a police force in Albania

Given that:

- on 16 June the Council decided to extend until 31 December 2000 Joint Action 1999/189/CFSP, adopted on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union, concerning a contribution by the EU to the reestablishment of a viable police force in Albania;

- during the first stage 3000 Albanian police officers were trained at a cost of 2,1 million. So far operations to combat crime in Albania have been non-existent;

- in the last few days Albanian boatmen have committed criminal offences (throwing bombs) against a patrol boat belonging to the Italian Customs Service, which was trying to put a stop to the daily transport of illegal immigrants to the coast of Apulia, which often has tragic consequences.

Can the Commission specify whether the joint action has had positive effects and, if so, what they are, how and where the 3000 Albanian policemen are employed, what their duties are and who supervises the deployment of these police officers and how?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2000)

The Western European Union (WEU) mission, known as the multinational police advisory element (MAPE), provides training, assistance and advice to the Albanian police. WEU/MAPE works in co-operation with the Albanian Ministry of Public Order mainly in Tirana, Durres and in mobile teams at district level. Its activities do not cover the (almost non-existent) Albanian military coastguards.

The Union joint action mentioned by the Honourable Member has been the basis for Union support for MAPE since March 1999. The MAPE mission forms part of a wider strategy, also involving Community assistance, in co-operation with MAPE, for procurement of equipment for the Albanian police.

The Commission considers that overall security and public order in Albania have improved considerably compared with the situation that prevailed in 1997. Nevertheless, the 1999 Kosovo crisis created problems for policing in Albania, such as the increase in illegal trafficking of human beings, which has led inter alia to the incident mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The results of the MAPE training programme need to be assessed against the background of the difficult circumstances in Albania. While it is true that the MAPE mission has suffered from a relatively high level of turnover within the Albanian police service up to 30 % of the policemen who received training since 1999 have left the service or been dismissed according to Commission information, more than 3 000 of the around 14 000 Albanian policemen have received basic training since 1999. In addition, a training for trainers programme was launched recently.

As to MAPE's advisory function, in November 1999 Albania adopted a framework law for its state police. This is currently being implemented through adoption of numerous subsidiary regulations in line with the 1999 civil service law. It is expected that a sound legal framework, combined with continued efforts in terms of training, advice and equipment support will help to create a more stable environment and a better-functioning police force, thus improving security and public order in the country.

In the overall context of integration of certain WEU functions into the Union, a comprehensive evaluation of the activities of WEU/MAPE and a general assessment of police reform in Albania is envisaged. This will provide the basis for reflection on a possible extension and adjustment of MAPE activities in Albania after 31 December 2000.