OSCE helps Albania create property restitution and compensation claims database

TIRANA, Dec. 6 – The Albanian office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the country’s Property Restitution and Compensation Agency (PRCA) signed on Wednesday a 40,000 Euro agreement which will provide technical and financial assistance to design an electronic database of requests for the restitution and compensation of property since 1993. The electronic database will provide accurate and easily accessible information regarding the types and total amount of land claimed for restitutions and compensations. Once the land value maps are completed, Albania will have a reliable estimate of the total cost of the restitution and compensation process. The database will also serve as a case management and case-tracking tool, allowing the Agency to more efficiently adjudicate claims. It will provide technical capacity to identify and resolve claims in chronological order according to geographic locations. “The database will improve the Agency’s capacity to manage the restitution and compensation process and as a result, the Government will be better able to co-ordinate the legalization process,” said OSCE head Pavel Vacek. “The gathered information will also assist us to co-operate with other public institutions administering public properties,” said PRCA head Justina Bori詮 The financing was provided by the Czech government. The OSCE has supported the property restitution and compensation process since 2004 when the relevant law entered into force. It has assisted in commenting on legislation and drafting sub-legal acts, supported the preparation of property value maps for the Tirana area, donated office equipment and provided training for property commissioners.