EU-funded project modernizes air transport

TIRANA, Nov. 22 – A euro 1 million EU-funded project launched last week seeks to modernise civil aviation in Albania by improving the free movement of passengers and goods, enhancing access to the air transport market and facilities, including airports, and by achieving operating standards comparable to those in the EU.
In framework of the integration process, based on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, and in framework of the country’s overall development and modernization, Albania needs to adopt new legislation and harmonise its exiting one in line with the EU acquis, which contains a specific chapter on transport, including air transport. Apart from the adoption of relevant legislation, the main focus of improvements in the area of civil aviation under this project will be strengthening of the oversight capacity of the Albanian Civil Aviation Authority, the adoption of EU air safety oversight standards by the Authority and training of its staff.
During the launching ceremony, the Charg顤’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Mr Luigi Brusa pointed at the importance of learning from previous experiences in this area, and therefore paying special attention to proper coordination between various agencies involved in the civil aviation field, as well as to the need for sustainable capacity building within the staff of such agencies. He emphasized that “Just like in many other cases, the achievements of this Twinning project highly depend on effective mechanisms of the administration to disseminate and consolidate the results of the project, and on administration stability – the acquired expertise will bear fruit only if there is staff stability, and last but not least, adequate budgetary planning for the future operational needs of the Albanian Aviation Authority.”
The Twinning will be implemented by the Italian Civil Aviation National Authority in cooperation with its Albanian counterpart for a period of 24 months.