U.S Cancels $16 mln Of Aid Funds After Administrative Court Bill Failure
By ervin lisaku
TIRANA, Oct. 6 – The United States embassy in Tirana announced on Wednesday it was withdrawing from its financial support to the Administrative Courts bill after both the majority and opposition failed to find consensus on its approval in last week’s parliamentary session. In a statement, the embassy said that failure to pass this law has resulted in the withdrawal of continued U.S. assistance to the Administrative Courts component of the nearly 16 million dollar from the Millennium Challenge Corporation agreement.
The Administrative Courts law was designed to reduce opportunities for corruption, improve transparency in the judicial system, strengthen the rule of law, boost citizen trust in public institutions, and further align Albania’s judicial system with required European Union integration standards. The law was identified as an important requirement for Albania, and it has had wide support from political parties and from the business community.
Earlier planned activities that now will not be undertaken by the U.S. include implementation of an electronic case management system, purchasing of equipment, overseeing of initial training sessions, and conducting of a public awareness campaign to inform citizens regarding what would have been the benefits of the new Courts.
Non-passage of this law will also affect any future consideration of Millennium Challenge Corporation “Compact Status” and related funding possibilities, warned the embassy.
The U.S. Embassy actively engaged both parties and sought their support for passage of this law, expressing its appreciation for the measures taken by the parliamentary majority to seek its passage. It is regrettable that the opposition chose not to vote on the bill.
“The American people have been generous with their deep support for Albania’s development and progress. Since 1991, the United States has provided over 700 million dollars in assistance to Albania, including programs focused on reducing corruption, advancing the rule of law, strengthening democratic institutions, improving health care, promoting greater security, and assuring continued economic development,” says the embassy, regretting that this absence of necessary Administrative Courts legislation requires withdrawal of support for an initiative identified as important by all Albanians.
Costs
Business costs associated with the absence of administrative courts are more than 400 million euros a year, say government officials who were pushing to have the law on the new court system approved in parliament.
However, the opposition Socialist Party reiterated last week it won’t vote the bill which needs a qualified majority of 84 votes unless last year’s general elections are made transparent. Last week, the embassy warned that the bills should have been passed by September 30, 2010 in order not to jeopardize continuation of US government assistance on the project.
The bill would establish seven courts that would adjudicate disputes of citizens and businesses on matters such as employment, tax, customs, pensions, property registration, and compensation of property, as well as other important issues. In addition, the establishment of these courts would further align Albania’s judicial system with required EU integration standards.
