Next year elections fundamental to the country, says OSCE

TIRANA, Oct 16 – The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe made it clear Thursday that next year will be a crucial timing for the tiny Balkan country.
In its report to the OSCE Permanent Council Ambassador Robert Bosch said that “2009 will be an important year in the light of Albania’s Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations. Parliamentary elections will be held under a new electoral system, which should result in democratic elections being held.”
“A precondition for ultimate success will be the continuance of the prevailing political near consensus amongst the national actors,” he said.
The OSCE offered its continuous support to the country’s reform along its integration efforts into the Euro-Atlantic institutions.
In contrast to previous years, the last year was largely characterized as a period where the main two political parties were able to find broad political agreement over the reform agenda, he said.
For Albania, the invitation to join NATO during the Bucharest-summit in April 2008 was the main political highlight.
The economy continued to grow at the healthy rate of around 5.0% of GDP, although rises in fuel and electricity prices contributed to inflationary pressures. Initiatives such as the adoption of a flat tax and a one-stop-shop business registration system, combined with dynamic action to formalize the black economy has paid dividends in terms of higher levels of tax collection and increased foreign investment.
However, economic expansion and accompanying migration patterns continue to affect the balance between economic growth and sustainable development. The potential for foreign trade and investment is also constrained by concerns over legal and physical security of property, corruption, and high operating costs.
Electoral reform saw some progress over the last year, he said, but also added that “to date the process continues slowly with final Assembly approval expected in October” urging the widest possible consensus and the package finally agreed to allow enough time for the successful administration of the elections.
Some of the constitutional changes raised concerns about the separation of powers.
He also added that some draft laws meant to fight corruption within the judiciary appear to strengthen executive control over the judiciary and was not adequately discussed with key stakeholders before being formally presented.
He also doubted that the parliamentary work on the legislation on collaborators with the Communist regime would be concluded well given that Albania has entered an election year.
Property issue remained a top priority and problem of concern for the country.
“Unresolved property issues have undermined efforts to develop a functional land market and deterred foreign investors. Gaps in the legal scheme governing the process of first registration have prevented a strategic approach to fixing the status of properties in the civil law so that the Immovable Property Registration System (IPRS) can issue guaranteed ownership titles. In regards to the restitution and compensation process, more could be done to increase transparency and further speed up the process. An assessment of the Property Restitution and Compensation Agency’s (PRCA) pending claims should be carried out to determine the status of pending claims and implementing procedures should be improved in order to increase efficiency. An assessment of the State’s ability to provide cash remedy to former owners should be undertaken as both former owners and the Government understand that the State does not have sufficient funds to compensate 100% of today’s Fair Market Value as compensation for expropriated property,” he said.