Tirana Times
TIRANA, July 3 – The National Conference “Delivering Public Administration Reform in Albania – Essential Steps for European Integration” was held last week in framework of the 1million Euro EU-funded project to support public administration reform in Albania.
Over a two-year period, EU experts and Albanian authorities have worked on amendments to key legislation for a merit-based, transparent, accountable and efficient civil service in Albania.
The project has also improved the IT infrastructure and human resources capacities of the Department of Public Administration to oversee public administration reform. Tangible progress in public administration reform, however, relies on political will for consensus to pass the necessary laws, and importantly, political will to enforce the laws.
The EU has long assisted Albania in improving its public administration through capacity building projects in various ministries and institutions. A total of more than 45 million Euros has been dedicated to assist Albania’s efforts to modernize its public administration. Regarding the reform of civil service, 3 million Euros have been dedicated to assist in developing and strengthening a merit-based, efficient and citizen-oriented civil serviceנa prerequisite for Albania’s development and EU integration.
The Opinion of the European Commission on Albania’s membership application listed public administration reform as one of the 12areas of concern to be addressed by Albania with priorityנnoting insufficient progress in the area and shortfalls, including high staff turnovers, the overuse of temporary contracts, lack of meritocracy and transparency in appointments and promotions, and generally poor enforcement of legislation in place.
This project has sought to strengthen the legal framework and to establish a Human Resource Management Information System that will improve enforcement of meritocracy and accountability standards in public administration.
Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Ettore Sequi emphasized that the EU “can bring expertise to help with laws, we can improve IT infrastructure, we can train staff etc. But we cannot pass your laws. We cannot enforce your laws. We cannot lead or oversee public administration reform. This is the responsibility, the duty of the Albanian authorities and the Albanian political class.”
