2004/519/EC:Council Decision of 14 June 2004 on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Albania
Date: 2004-06-14
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Albania, aid policy, association agreement (EU), cooperation policy, economic stabilisation, human rights

L 223/20

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.6.2004

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 14 June 2004

on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Albania

(2004/519/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 of 22
March 2004 on the establishment of European Partnerships in
the framework of the stabilisation and association process (1)
particular to Article 2 thereof,

into the European Union and identifies a number of
priority areas for further work.

(4)

to prepare for further

In order
integration into the
European Union, Albania should develop a plan with a
timetable and details
in terms of measures Albania
intends to take to this end,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

The Thessaloniki European Council of 19 and 20 June
2003 endorsed the ‘Thessaloniki Agenda for the western
Balkans: moving towards European integration’ where the
drawing up of European partnerships is mentioned as
one of the means to intensify the stabilisation and asso-
ciation process.

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, prio-
rities and conditions to be contained in the European
partnerships, as well as any subsequent adjustments. It
also states that the follow up of the implementation of
the European partnerships will be ensured through the
mechanisms established under the stabilisation and asso-
ciation process, notably the Annual Reports.

(3)

The 2004 Commission's Annual Report presents an
analysis of Albania's preparations for further integration

In accordance with Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 533/2004,
the principles, priorities and conditions in the European Part-
nership with Albania are set out in the Annex hereto, which
forms an integral part of this Decision.

Article 2

The implementation of
the European Partnership shall be
examined through the mechanisms established under the stabi-
lisation and association process.

Article 3

This Decision shall take effect on the third day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Luxembourg, 14 June 2004.

For the Council
The President

B. COWEN

(1) OJ L 86, 24.3.2004, p. 1.

24.6.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 223/21

ANNEX

1.

INTRODUCTION

The Thessaloniki Agenda identifies ways and means of intensifying the stabilisation and association process (SAP),
inter alia, through the introduction of European partnerships.

Based on the Commission's Annual Report, the purpose of the European Partnership with Albania is to identify
priorities for action in order 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 updated as necessary. The
European Partnership also provides guidance for financial assistance to Albania.

It is expected that Albania will adopt a plan including a timetable and details in terms of how they intend to
address the European partnership priorities. The plan should also indicate ways to pursue the Thessaloniki agenda,
the priorities on fighting organised crime and corruption identified at the 2002 London Conference and at the
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 Conference on integrated border management.

2.

PRINCIPLES

The SAP 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
in its
Council of 1993 and the conditions set for the SAP, notably the conditions defined by the Council
Conclusions of 29 April 1997 and 21 and 22 June 1999, the content of the final declaration of the Zagreb
Summit of 24 November 2000 and the Thessaloniki Agenda.

3.

PRIORITIES

The Commission's Annual Report assesses progress made and notes areas where the country needs to increase its
efforts. The priorities listed 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 accomplished within three to four years.

The European Partnership indicates the main priority 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 concerned, incorporation of the acquis into legislation is not in itself sufficient; it will also be
necessary to prepare to its full implementation.

3.1. SHORT-TERM

Political situation

Democracy and rule of Law
Focus on reforms and ensure proper functioning of democratic institutions — Ensure a political focus on the implemen-
tation of the reforms necessary for progress within the SAP. Improve the rules governing parliamentary committees
and investigative 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, transfer and dismissal for all civil servants, and
implement them. Ensure that the Civil Service Commission fulfils its duties in accordance with the law. Strengthen
the function of the Secretary General in the line Ministries, Council of Ministers and Assembly. Improve coordi-
nation between the line Ministries and the Ministry of European Integration. Strengthen the financial sustainability
of
the Training Institute for Public Administration and its training capacities. Prepare tailor-made training
programmes for local administrations. Ensure that the planned review of existing Albanian territorial units as
well as the establishment of new territorial divisions is carried out properly, with the involvement of all stake-
holders.

L 223/22

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.6.2004

Prepare the next parliamentary and local elections properly and in time — Implement in time the OSCE/Office for
democratic institutions and human rights (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 civil justice process. Foster the status of judges, and their independence 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 functioning of the ‘Serious Crimes Court’. Guarantee that judges and prosecutors are selected
and appointed through competitive examinations,
in conformity with the Constitution and the law. Further
guarantee that judges and prosecutors are promoted with adequate safeguards and through impartial procedures.
Improve the functioning of inspectorates of both the High Council of Justice and the General Prosecution Office,
and ensure that there is no impunity for judges and prosecutors; provide clear guidelines for the roles of separate
inspectorates in the Ministry of
Justice. Adopt adequate legislation on witness
protection. Achieve a continuous increase in the execution rate of court sentences. Develop a sound medium/
long term strategic plan for the School of Magistrates with the objective of enhancing both its operation and
financial sustainability. Ensure a proper follow up (investigation and possible prosecution) to public allegations of
criminal behaviour against specified persons.

Justice and High Council of

Improve the fight against corruption — Adopt the necessary legislation in order to harmonise the Albanian legal
framework with European conventions on corruption (in criminal and civil matters) ratified by Albania. Improve
the existing legislation on bribery and implement it. Ensure enforcement of the Law on Declaration of Assets.
Implement the 2003 and 2004 Anti-corruption Action Plan, and ensure that the next 2004 and 2005 Plan includes
realistic, precise and measurable anti-corruption measures. Strengthen the institutional capacity to investigate 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.

Human Rights and Protection of minorities

Improve the respect for human rights by law enforcement bodies — Ensure that police, judges, prosecutors and other law
enforcement bodies are fully aware of their obligations in terms of human rights, and that they implement them in
accordance with international conventions ratified by Albania, and in particular the European Convention on
Human Rights. Address cases of ill-treatment by law enforcement bodies through effective prosecution of perpe-
trators. Improve conditions of detainees and prisoners on remand 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 political
interference with the 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 Council on Radio and Television. Finalise the
national plan for radio and television frequencies. Encourage investigative journalism, and take measures to support
the independence and professionalism of journalists.

Ensure respect of minority rights — Provide accurate data on the size of minorities in Albania. Improve the legal
framework on minorities so that it meets the requirements of the Council of Europe Framework Convention on
the
National Minorities, and ensure its implementation throughout the whole Albanian territory.
National Strategy for the Roma.

Implement

Regional and international cooperation
Strengthen regional cooperation — Comply with SAP requirements and Thessaloniki commitments in terms of
regional cooperation. Ensure implementation of all regional free trade agreements concluded in the framework
of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding for Trade Facilitation under the Stability Pact.

international obligations — Regularise Albania's position as

regards compliance with its WTO
Implement
commitments. Once the situation is regularised, ensure implementation of the revised schedule without further
derogations. Guarantee respect of commitments undertaken by Albania in the framework of EU relations.

24.6.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 223/23

Economic Situation

Free Market Economy and Structural Reforms
Ensure sustained macro-economic stability — Maintain a stable macroeconomic framework in the context of the
International Monetary Fund 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 legislation. Establish
clear rules and procedures regarding conditions for establishment, registration and operation of national and foreign
companies, and ensure that
(SAA)
requirements. Ensure proper, non-discretionary, non-discriminatory implementation of business-related legislation,
rules and procedures. Implement the European Charter for Small and Medium Enterprises, in particular the targets
set for 2004. Ensure that the SME Agency is fully operational. Reform pre-paid tax system to make it less
unfavourable for starting up companies. Continue preparation of national guarantee fund. Spread company regis-
tration possibilities throughout the country.

they are compatible with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement

Develop a stable and functioning land/real estate market — Adopt new legislation on the restitution/compensation of
properties confiscated during the communist period. Ensure that this legislation provides a satisfactory answer to
the vast majority of claims and take, in close cooperation with all relevant political actors and owner's associations,
the necessary steps to ensure its implementation. 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
employment 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.

Management of public finances
Improve public finance management — Improve budgeting procedures through realistic revenue estimates, better
prioritisation of expenditure and strengthened links between policy objectives and budget planning. Develop a
comprehensive socio-economic strategy, encompassing the current national strategy for social and economic
development and the medium term expenditure framework, 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 EU requirements.

Enforce the Law on Internal Audit. Ensure the adequate functioning of the State Audit Institution, including follow-
up of its findings and recommendations, as well as the prosecution of criminal cases.

EU standards

Internal market and trade
Movement of goods — Make further progress in adopting EU Standards. Adopt the draft decree on the organisation
and functioning of the Accreditation 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 EU requirements, notably as regards those
products which have a strong export potential.

L 223/24

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.6.2004

Customs — Stabilise and improve all aspects of the administrative capacity of the Albanian customs administration.
In particular ensure the stability of the staffing and manage human resources in strict compliance with the relevant
legislation. Strengthen the customs departments involved in the implementation of trade agreements, in particular
the department responsible for the origin of goods. Strengthen administrative cooperation in the customs sector.
Ensure that rules and procedures regarding transit, valuation, customs warehouses, risk assessment and selectivity,
and auditing (internal and external) are implemented in accordance with EU standards and, where relevant, inter-
national conventions. Ensure that
the customs administration performs its revenue collection obligation in
compliance with the law. Take concrete measures to improve the fight against smuggling and trafficking.
Implement the ASYCUDA system in Tirana's Customs House and Durres port. Ensure the non-discriminatory
application of customs legislation, rules and procedures throughout the whole country.

Taxation — Start reviewing the present tax legislation 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 EU-financed projects and establish an efficient system to ensure
actual tax exemption for EU-financed projects in accordance with the 1992 Framework Agreement.

Competition and State aid — Adopt the implementing rules necessary for the implementation of the new Compe-
tition Law and start implementing it. Prepare for the establishment of an independent competition authority,
including through the strengthening of administrative capacity. Promote competition policy by fostering liberal-
isation, improving public procurement practices, ensuring a pro-competitive approach to privatisation. Adopt the
necessary legal
framework for State aids and promote transparency and basic enforcement of the State aid
principles.

Public procurement — Enforce current public procurement legislation and take steps in order to approximate this
legislation to EU standards. Avoid derogations to the principle of open tender, and ensure strict implementation of
tendering procedures. Strengthen the Public Procurement Agency as well as public procurement entities in line
ministries. Take measures to guarantee adequate treatment of complaints.

Intellectual property rights (IPR) — Adopt new legislation on industrial property. Accede to the International
Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Adopt the necessary legislation and strengthen admin-
istrative capacity in order to improve copyright protection. Take steps to further increase the awareness of
law enforcement bodies and the judiciary in relation to intellectual, commercial and
economic operators,
property rights. Take measures to improve IPR enforcement.

Sectoral policies
Environment — Start addressing toxic hotspots in Durres and Vlora, and the issue of radioactive waste in Tirana and
Fier. Ensure enforcement of legislation on environmental impact assessment and eco-taxes. Improve coordination
between the Ministry of Environment and other administrations dealing with environmental
issues. Accelerate
the National Strategy of Water Supply and Sanitation, and the Rural Strategy of Water
implementation of
Supply and Sewerage.

Energy — Implement the 2003 to 2005 Action Plan and start implementing the Albanian Energy Strategy.
Implement the commitments undertaken in the framework of the 2003 Athens Memorandum of Understanding
on the Regional Energy Market in SEE.

Telecommunications — Ensure that the electronic communications sector is liberalised effectively including the
strengthening of regulatory bodies and the adoption of suitable laws and policies for the sector.

24.6.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 223/25

Cooperation in justice and home affairs
Border management — As a follow-up to the Ohrid regional conference on border security and management in May
2003, implement the measures that have been adopted by the Government and presented at the meeting of JHA
ministers within the EU-western Balkans Forum in November 2003. Develop an Integrated Border Management
Strategy (IBM) in compliance with EU requirements. Strengthen law enforcement bodies responsible for border
management, and upgrade management standards. Establish an adequate risk-analysis system, in order to improve
border management at border-crossing points and ‘green’ and ‘blue’ borders. Increase cooperation with neigh-
bouring countries, as well as collaboration between national
law enforcement bodies involved in border
management, at the border and in connection with subsequent control activities. Improve equipment and skills
of Albanian law enforcement bodies in order to ensure the identification of forged/false travel documents. Take the
in cooperation with relevant international actors, to ensure proper standards of security,
necessary measures,
management and control at Tirana international airport.

Migration and asylum policies — Adopt and start implementing the National Strategy for Migration. Ensure that the
necessary procedures to sign and ratify the EC/Albania Readmission Agreement are completed as soon as possible
in 2004.

Formally adopt the National Action Plan on Asylum. Address the remaining gaps in Albania's asylum-related
legislation. Implement, especially in border areas, the ‘pre screening’ system to classify persons in irregular situations
within the Albanian territory. Respect the non-refoulement principle. 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 ranks. Develop and start implementing a transparent system of
discipline and promotion. Improve police investigative skills. Establish a consolidated manual 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
corruption and other criminal activities.

Organised crime, trafficking, drugs, money laundering and terrorism — Implement the action-oriented measures against
organised crime that have been adopted by the Government and presented at the EU-western Balkans JHA
Ministerial meeting of November 2003. Ensure that Albanian legislation clearly defines the concept of ‘organised
crime’, consistent with EU legislation and generally accepted international standards. Adopt and implement legis-
lation on stolen goods, taking into account international standards and covering also goods stolen abroad. Ensure
collaboration and information exchange between law enforcement bodies, state ministries and legislators involved in
fighting organised crime. Within the limits of the law and in full respect of international standards, extend 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. Take the necessary
measures to allow bilateral extradition agreements with EU Member States.

Enforce existing drugs-related legislation. Ensure sustained 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 international cooperation and implement relevant international conventions on terrorism. Improve coop-
eration and exchange of information between police and intelligence services within the State and with other States.
Prevent the financing and preparation of acts of terrorism.

L 223/26

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.6.2004

3.2. MEDIUM TERM PRIORITIES

Political situation

Democracy and rule of Law
Further improve the functioning of the public administration — Ensure that the sectors of the administration responsible
for the implementation of SAA provisions, as well as those involved in the implementation of EU financial
assistance, are adequately trained and equipped to carry out their duties. Ensure that civil service legislation and
related procedures, 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 support the development of a well-
local administrations are in the
prepared, professional,
position to implement decentralised policies.

transparent and stable administration. Ensure that

C a r r y o u t t h e n e x t P a r l i a m e n t a r y a n d l o c a l e l e c t i o n s i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h i n t e r n a -
t i o n a l

s t a n d a r d s

Further strengthen the judicial system — Ensure prosecution of serious crimes, especially organised crime, with
particular attention to cross-border cooperation mechanisms; successful prosecution should be reflected in a
tangible and significant
increase in the number of successful convictions of perpetrators of serious crimes,
receiving appropriate sentences. Substantially reduce the current backlog and ensure the timely execution of
court sentences. Ensure broad publication of court decisions. Ensure continued and adequate training of judges
and prosecutors, including in human rights, ethics and commercial matters and SAA-related issues. Enforce legis-
lation 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 and organised crime — Implement European Conventions on Corruption (in
criminal and civil matters) ratified by Albania, as well as the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO)
recommendations. Achieve significant results in the fight against corruption, at all
fields,
through enforcement of adequate legislation. Facilitate the placement of liaison officers, seconded by EU Member
States in the relevant state bodies involved in the fight against organised crime. Provide six-monthly reports to the
EU on tangible results achieved in the judicial pursuit of organised crime related activities under the terms of the
United Nations Convention on trans-national organised crime, known as the Palermo Convention.

levels and in all

Human 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
in accordance with international conventions. Establish an
adequate juvenile justice system. Ensure compliance with the Council of Europe Convention for the Prevention
of Torture and Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

institutions,

Ensure freedom of expression and media — Enforce new legislation for printed and electronic media taking into
in a fair and non-discriminatory
account EU standards. Ensure that TV frequency allocation is carried out
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 broad-
caster. Encourage continued improvement of the quality of journalism.

Regional and international cooperation
Strengthen regional cooperation — 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 Core Regional Transport Network. 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 cooperation on
environmental issues.

24.6.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 223/27

Implement international obligations — Fully Implement international agreements and conventions ratified by Albania,
in particular conventions in the fields of justice and home affairs, human and minority rights, and trade.

Economic situation

Free market economy and structural reforms
Complete the privatisation process — in particular by privatising INSIG (financial sector), Albtelecom (telecommuni-
cations sector), Servcom, Albpetrol, Armo and KESH (energy sector).

Further improve business environment — Enforce improved commercial legislation. Ensure that judges are well trained
on commercial 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
confiscated during the communist period. Complete land mapping and the process of land registration. Ensure
that transfers of property are carried out in accordance with the law, and take measures aimed at the proper
functioning of all bodies involved in the process (notaries, property register, etc.). Ensure that provisions in relation
to land classification and the use of land are respected. Develop and adopt legislation for the taxation of land and
real estate.

Management of public finances
Further improve public finance management — Implement the Public Internal Financial Control Strategy. Further
strengthen external audit and ensure that both,
function
properly. Establish effective procedures for the detection, treatment and follow-up of cases of (suspected) fraud
and other irregularities affecting national and international funds.

financial control management and internal audit,

EU standards

Internal market and trade
Movement of goods — Ensure administrative capacity to implement SAA requirements. Make further progress in
adopting EU Standards. Establish a market surveillance system. Ensure improved functioning, taking into account
EU practices, of
the bodies responsible for standardisation, accreditation and certification, as well as those
responsible for metrology and calibration.

Achieve substantial
improvement
compliance with EU requirements.

in terms of

food safety and phyto-sanitary and veterinary conditions,

in

Customs — Ensure administrative capacity to implement SAA requirements. Ensure substantial alignment of
customs legislation and procedures, and their implementation,
to EU legislation and procedures. 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, smuggling and trafficking,
and reduce significantly those cases involving customs officials engaging in illegal activities. Complete the imple-
mentation of ASYCUDA throughout the country and continue computerisation efforts.

Taxation — Continue strengthening the tax administration. Ensure full and efficient implementation of the VAT
system.
including refund
procedures. Provide all taxpayers with a unique identification number for fiscal purposes. Continue to strengthen
tax collection and control and develop an audit strategy.

Improve communication with taxpayers, and simplify tax structure and procedures,

L 223/28

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.6.2004

Competition and State aid — In line with SAA requirements, establish an independent competition authority. Enforce
competition legislation, and prepare for the establishment of an operationally independent State aid structure.
Strengthen structures responsible for State aids and ensure progress towards both the completion of a compre-
hensive State aid inventory and 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 procurement
structures, ensuring strict operation of public procurement procedures in
compliance with the law and SAA requirements.

Intellectual property rights (IPR) — Properly implement international conventions ratified in the field of intellectual,
commercial and industrial property rights. Ensure a high degree of protection for IPR, and achieve results in the
fight against piracy and counterfeiting. Guarantee sufficient administrative 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 River, and take
measures to tackle water pollution in general. Continue to implement regional and international commitments in
this area. Strengthen environmental monitoring and ensure sufficiently dissuasive sanctions against polluters. Ensure
implementation of the National Strategy of Water Supply and Sanitation, and the Rural Strategy of Water Supply
and Sewerage. Develop and start implementing a strategy for progressive alignment to the acquis in this area.

Public Health — Strengthen surveillance and notification systems for communicable diseases. Facilitate closer
cooperation 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 Core Regional Transport Network.

Energy — Continue to ensure the proper implementation 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 production, transmission and distribution.
Continue to implement regional and international commitments in this area in view of establishing a competitive
regional energy market.

Telecommunications — Transpose and implement the new EU framework for electronic communications.

Cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs

Border management — Implement the IBM and all international commitments undertaken by Albania in the area of
border management. Implement risk analysis in relation to border management efficiently. Continue to strengthen
border management capacities; in particular, ensure that border management at Tirana international airport, and at
Durres and Vlora ports, complies with international standards. Ensure improved security features of new Albanian
travel documents. Achieve 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 EU citizens working and/or residing in Albania. Ensure the enfor-
cement 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 transiting through Albania. Progres-
sively conclude, ratify and implement all of the main international conventions in the field of migration.

24.6.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 223/29

Implement the Albanian National Action Plan on Asylum. Enforce asylum-related legislation and establish a fully-
fledged asylum system, in compliance with international standards.

Police — Continue to strengthen all police forces, 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 criminal behaviour within police ranks.

trafficking, drugs, money laundering and terrorism — Further increase international cooperation.
Organised crime,
Achieve 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 the seizure of proceedings from crime.

Implement the National Strategy on Drugs. Ensure 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). Establish an inter-ministerial agency for the purpose of seizing proceedings from crime. 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 instruments, and in particular by Council Regulation (EC) No 2666/2000 of
5 December 2000 on assistance for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1); accordingly, this Decision will have no financial implications. In
addition Albania will have access to funding from multi-country and horizontal programmes. The Commission is
working with the European Investment Bank and the IFIs, in particular the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development and the World Bank, with a view to facilitate the co-financing of projects relating to the SAP.

5.

CONDITIONALITY

Community assistance under the SAP to the western Balkan countries is conditional on further progress in
satisfying the Copenhagen political criteria. Failure to respect these general conditions could lead the Council to
take appropriate measures on the basis of Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 2666/2000.

Community assistance shall also be subject to the conditions defined by the Council in its Conclusions of 29 April
in particular as regards the recipient's undertaking to carry out democratic, economic and institutional
1997,
reforms, taking into account the priorities set out in this European Partnership.

6. MONITORING

The follow-up of the European Partnership is ensured through the mechanisms established under the SAP, notably
the Annual Report on the SAP.

(1) OJ L 306, 7.12.2000, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2415/2001 (OJ L 327, 12.12.2001, p. 3).