WRITTEN QUESTION E-0411/00

by Pasqualina Napoletano (PSE) to the Council

(17 February 2000)

Subject: Mission financed by the Commission for customs reform in Albania

Mrs Natalina Cea, head of the mission financed by the Commission in Albania for customs reform, has announced that after three years she is leaving the post which she has filled with great professionalism, having shown commitment and courage in carrying out her tasks throughout this period.

The mission has achieved positive results, having put the Albanian customs system back into operation and thus permitted a very large increase in State customs revenue; in addition, it has provided crucial help in redrafting Albanian customs legislation.

Mrs Cea has reported a serious climate of intimidation and obstacles in carrying out her work.

The Italian customs department, from which Mrs Cea was transferred, has always actively supported and valued the work of the head of the mission and, on learning of her request for rotation, submitted to the Commission a proposal for her replacement, thus confirming its own commitment to continuing in this difficult ongoing mission with the aim of combating illegality and intensifying the fight against crime.

In the light of the above:

1. What is the Council's view on the situation in Albania with regard to this specific delicate area of cooperation?

2. Does it not consider that the mission should be stepped up further and actively supported, despite the obstacles met with to date?

3. In view of the commitment of and the specific experience acquired by the Italian customs department in this field, does the Council not consider that, in order to guarantee the continued effectiveness of the mission, it would be advisable to maintain a close relationship with the Italian customs department and therefore give priority consideration to the candidate already put forward by the department to replace Mrs Cea?

Reply

(2 May 2000)

The Council has, on several occasions, confirmed the readiness of the European Union to support Albania in its stabilisation and reform process, in particular through ongoing Community assistance.

While welcoming the efforts made by the Albanian authorities in tackling economic, political and institutional weaknesses, the Council has also made it clear that a condition for a successful participation of the country in the Stabilisation and Association Process for South East Europe, will be that a number of issues are addressed, in particular the consolidation of the rule of law and acceleration of structural reforms.

The setting up of a stable and effective customs administration clearly is one of the issues, and the particular project to which the Honourable Parliamentarian makes reference, the Customs Assistance Mission, is the most important project financed by the Community in this field, and the Council follows it with great interest and concern.

The Council hence shares the view of the Honourable Parliamentarian that continued effectiveness of the Customs Mission is of the utmost importance. It therefore regrets the departure of the Head of Mission. The Council clearly cannot express itself on management and appointments within the Mission. It will, however, support the Commission in its efforts to conduct a selection procedure based on professional qualifications, which will allow for the appointment of a new Head of Mission who fulfils the requirements for the job.

In this context the Council would like to refer to the answer by the Commission to your written question number P-405/00.