Program to help Albania better absorb EU funds

TIRANA, Nov. 17 – A 1 million euro EU-funded project has contributed to enhancing the capacities of Albania’s central administration to manage EU funds, specifically those under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, which amounts to more than 200 million euros for the 2008-2010 period. Decentralized management of the funds is fostered by the European Commission for two main related reasons. First, local ownership of the assistance is increased, thus contributing to a more direct engagement of Albanian authorities in implementing EU projects. Second, and very importantly, beginning to prepare for decentralized management of IPA funds allows Albania to prepare itself successfully for future EU membership, for future management of the so-called Structural and Cohesion Funds that Member States receive to better integrate their poorer regions and infrastructure.
Efficient and transparent management of IPA funds requires a well-trained and professional administration to be in place as well as a clear and appropriate legal framework. Albania’s capacities in this respect have, with the assistance of this project, now developed a good foundation. Administrative structures have been formally established, staff have been trained and new legal provisions have been adopted. In the near future these will be developed further to ensure that Albania has the capacity to manage large amounts of EU funds efficiently and transparently.
Charge d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Albania Aneil Singh noted that Albania will be able to manage EU funds on its own when complete and fully operational structures for decentralized management are in place.
“This will be an important step in the EU integration process, which will mean giving significant financial resources directly to the Albanian authorities to manage. The assessment of whether Albania is ready or not to move to this step concretely starts with the Compliance Assessment to be carried out very soon. Ultimately, the European Commission’s Auditors will determine whether responsibility for management of EU funds can be passed to Albania.”
Assistance in this area will continue with another project, funded by the EU with 1.35 million euros to assist Albanian authorities through the next phases of preparation for decentralized management.