BRUSSELS, Nov. 6 – The European Commission on Tuesday adopted its annual strategy paper for the EU’s enlargement policy reviewing the progress achieved in each candidate and potential candidate country, according to a statement.
It concluded that there has been steady though uneven progress in the Western Balkans and the region continues to face major challenges. The present enlargement agenda covers the Western Balkans and Turkey.
Presenting the reports Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said: “In 2007 there has been steady but uneven progress in the Western Balkans. We still need to face major challenges, such as the Kosovo status process, Serbia’s democratic development and state building in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I expect that in 2008 conditions will be fulfilled and thus we will be able to complete Stabilization and Association Agreements with all countries in the region.”
The pull of the EU is contributing to stability and encouraging important political and economic reforms. It is crucial to maintain the visibility and credibility of the accession prospects, as well as support for enlargement in the member states.
Better governance in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro, state building with local ownership in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia’s European course are the major challenges for these countries in the coming year. The region as a whole needs to move forward in building modern democracies and further develop a political culture of dialogue and tolerance.
Early in 2008, the Commission will take stock of developments and point the way forward in following up the EU’s agenda for the Western Balkans region. Attention will be given to promoting people to people contacts. The Commission will initiate a dialogue on visa liberalization.
Albania’s progress
Albania signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU on 12 June 2006. An Interim Agreement has entered into force and SAA ratification by the Member States is ongoing.
Political criteria
Albania has made some progress on democracy and the rule of law. Some progress has also been achieved regarding human rights and the protection of minorities, and in strengthening property rights. Albania has continued to play a positive role in maintaining regional stability and has contributed to the conclusion of the regional free trade agreement, CEFTA.
However, democratic culture and in particular constructive dialogue between parties needs to be developed to enable the political system to function effectively and transparently. It is important for Albania to complete the long overdue electoral and judicial reforms which are currently being discussed. Corruption remains widespread.
Economic criteria
Albania has made progress towards establishing a functioning market economy. Further considerable reform efforts are needed to enable it to cope over the long term with competitive pressures and market forces within the Union. The level of registered unemployment, though still high, continued to decline. Privatization gained new momentum in 2007.
However, external deficits widened further, mainly due to difficulties in the energy sector. Shortages of qualified staff and poor infrastructure – including energy supply – hold back the development of a private sector that can make sustained contribution to the country’s economic development.
European standards
Albania has made progress in aligning its legislation, policies and capacity with European standards and is implementing its Interim Agreement trade commitments. In some areas, such as customs, competition and fighting organized crime, progress made in previous years has been sustained.
In other areas, however, such as energy, transport and intellectual property rights, progress has remained limited.
EU Financial Assistance under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) for the potential candidate countries
Key points noted in the report
The parliament provided a focus for political debate and fulfilled its constitutional role in the election of a new president. However, political parties’ lack of will to cooperate continued to hold back reforms needed to fulfill SAA obligations.
Albania has made some progress in strengthening its government structures to address its commitments towards the EU and the broader development agenda. Further strengthening of capacity, coordination and strategic planning remains necessary.
The public administration is stabilizing and becoming somewhat more focused. Further progress on strengthening the Department of Public Administration and ensuring competent, motivated and impartial staff is now needed. There have been some steps to improve the efficiency of the judiciary. However, it has continued to function poorly due to due to shortfalls in independence, transparency and efficiency. Legislation planned to address these issues is delayed.
Albania has continued to address corruption, a key European Partnership priority. The government is taking a more strategic approach, but corruption remains widespread and constitutes a very serious problem. Much work is still needed on all aspects of this problem, including judicial accountability and transparency of political party funding.
Shortfalls remain in enforcement of human rights in fields such as preventing torture and ill-treatment, the rights of detainees and the right to a fair trial.
Some steps have been taken to prevent torture and ill-treatment of detainees but considerably better enforcement of human rights rules and proper prosecution of abusers is still required.
There has been progress in improving the prison and pre-trial detention system but detention standards remain poor due to lack of resources.
Albania has made some progress on freedom of expression, a key European Partnership priority. It now needs to improve implementation of existing legislation and approach reform in this field in a more coordinated manner in consultation with stakeholders and experts.
Albania continues to provide a valuable example of religious harmony in the region. However, religious communities remain adversely affected by the authorities’ failure as yet to provide for full restitution of properties and other belongings.
There has been some progress on strengthening women’s rights. However, Albanian legislation does not yet protect these rights sufficiently and is not fully implemented.
There has been some progress on children’s rights. Further progress is hindered by delays in key legislation and lack of resources.
There has been some progress regarding socially vulnerable and/or people with disabilities but measures to support them remain limited and better coordination of government agencies could improve results. There has been progress on strengthening property rights, a key European Partnership priority. Proper coordination and further acceleration of restitution and compensation are now needed. There has been little progress in improving the situation of the Roma, which continue to face very difficult living conditions and discrimination, especially in the areas of education, social protection, health care, housing and employment. Lack of resources and weaknesses in strategy have limited the impact of government measures.
Regional cooperation and good neighborly relations form an essential part of the process of Albania’s moving towards the European Union.
Albania’s bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighboring member states have continued to be intense, with frequent bilateral visits. Domestic cross-party consensus on key regional issues has continued to be strong.
Albania has continued to foster positive relations with its regional partners, both multilaterally and bilaterally. Albania’s continued constructive stance on the Kosovo status process has contributed to stability in the region.
