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"EUROPA"

"EUROPA" is a monthly review whose main goal is to bring the country's European integration process and "Europe" closer to Albanian citizens. The newspaper is a contribution towards "Europeanization" of the Albanian society through strengthening its knowledge on the EU, our country's efforts towards EU membership, on challenges and opportunities of the enlargement process in general,etc. EUROPA's target audience involves: civil society representatives, media and business community, academia (university professors and students, researchers, high school teachers, undergraduates), civil servants (at both, local and central level) and the Albanian public in general. The review started as a supplement of the Albanian daily "Panorama." Since May 9th 2005 it is being published as a separate monthly newpaper in a 16 pages format, with 4 colored pages and it has been distributed free of charge. During 2005 this publication is financially supported by Friedrich Ebert Foundation (office in Tirana) and by a modest contribution of AIIS.

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FORUM
Launched as the Albanian Forum initiative in 1999, the Forum evolved into the Foreign and Security Forum in 2004 due to the enlarged scope of the themes under discus-sion. Since its founding, the Forum has benefited from the financial support of: Open Society Founda-tion for Albania (SOROS) in 1999, EC Delegation in 2000, US Emba-ssy in 2001, and EC Delegation in 2002 to June 2003... ...read more

AIIS Foreign and Security Policy Forum
Albania's Domestic and Foreign Policy
2008 Agenda
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On February 7th, 2008, the Albanian Institute for International Studies organized the forum: "Albania's Domestic and Foreign Policy - 2008 Agenda". Following is the speech of His Exellency Prof. Dr. Bamir Topi, President of the Republic of Albania.

Firstly I would like to wholeheartedly thank you for the invitation and opportunity extended to me to address, as you already mentioned, this excellent audience regarding the viewpoint of the President of the Republic about the domestic and foreign policies of Albania. Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to state that the policies of Albania in both domestic and foreign levels are important institutional policies, are policies which in no way cannot be based upon individual wills, where all the distinguished representatives of state structures and politics have become part of this wonderful symphony where the Albanian state is increasingly day by day being represented better. Keeping in mind the expression that you used about small or big states, we are truly small in the geographical sense, but our continuous aspiration has been and will be that we like to make friends, it does not matter small or big friends, but what is important is that Albania today is not alone. It is part of the international institutional policies and I believe what clearly expresses the position of Albania and its institutions are the powerful aspiration held by Albania and Albanian society first of all and its institutions to be part of the Euro-Atlantic world. I am here today in this Forum with my wish, which for you is familiar for quite some times, but especially after my election to the post of the President of the Republic, to hold, urge and expand the democratic debate on very important issues for the future of Albania. I am very convinced that democracy, in order to be developed, to be strengthened and to grow healthy, must be enriched through a debate where not only the politicians must participate, not only the media, not only the civil society, not only our international friends, but also and especially the public and citizens of Albania. The society which we are striving to build needs the contribution of all. We are obliged to listen to the views of all, to the concerns of all, to the assessments of all for what we do and then create the political, economical, social, educational and health strategies to truly build a deserved state where every one can feel that his place is the merit of value and not anti-values and where everyone believes that there is a future for him and his children.
Albania must return to Europe. The aspiration will remain for it to become part as soon as possible institutionally as well of the great European family, to which it belongs both historically and geographically and from its spiritual vocation.
Albania is already on the right path towards being integrated in the European family and closer to the Euro-Atlantic family integration. In order to safely progress on this path, we are all conscious and determined about the reforms we must undertake through a loyal and constructive cooperation.
The pace of the steps for Albania, which are already determined by the Association-Stabilization Agreement, is indispensable to be respected by all and the fulfillment of obligations stemming from the Interim Agreement must sensitize everyone. We are all conscious that there is no time to waste. The ratifying of the Association-Stabilization Agreement by only fifteen EU member countries is encouraging, but is not enough. All the structures of our state must work for the ratification by the other EU member countries to be concluded by the first semester of 2008 and then to seek the status of the candidate country for which we are more than prepared.
I consider as a very qualitative step in the relations with the European Union, the Agreement to facilitate the visas’ procedures for the Albanian citizens. I lay in wait of the concrete results from the implementation of these measures for our citizens. Our proper structures must follow attentively the implementation of this Agreement in order to enable us the proposal of other facilitating steps in a not so distant future. But on the other hand we have to be conscious that Albania must establish as soon as possible standards to equip its citizens with identification cards.
I am very committed to give the maximal contribution to the political emancipation required by the country, by encouraging the spirit of political dialogue, cooperation among the political parties aiming to urge the carrying out of all the reforms required by the development of the country and our Euro-Atlantic engagements. The electoral reform and the judicial one are the most important reforms under our conditions. The President will be the guarantor of the correct institutional relation demanded by the opposition and the guarantor of the constitutional respect and upholding of the laws.
The judicial reform is one of the issues at the focus of attention not only of the Albanian politics, but above all of the Albanian society, of common people. It consists for Albania not only one of the obligations that stem from the Association-Stabilization Agreement, but also a political priority to be fulfilled for NATO integration as well. The President in his quality also as the Chairman of the High Council of Justice judges that the continuation of the reform in the judiciary must adapt to the democratic developments of the country. During these years there have been many laws passed but there are still many problems. We must try in a short-term period to achieve concrete results and required standards. This demands a new seriousness based upon the expressed political will by all the sides. Lastly I am glad to notice that in the Assembly of Albania, the proper Commission has begun the political debate which very soon must be translated into professional reforms.
The reform in the electoral system is important as well, not only for the fact that it is a precondition to our NATO and EU integration. It is necessary as the norm of the democratic state and Rule of Law where the vote of every citizen is neither deformed nor stolen, but it is respected and reflected in the elected structures by regaining this way the lost faith of our citizens on politics.
The Albanians expect from politics to enable them to live better, to feel safer and integrated and the fulfillment of such aspirations is the obligation of all, especially of the Albanian politicians and state. This must also be our main motivation to face the challenges of reforms and to give a real and quick impetus to the processes of democratic consolidation, to the Rule of Law, regional cooperation and Euro-Atlantic integration.
The determined fight and free of political colors against corruption in politics, administration, society, the battle against organized crime and trafficking of human beings, deformations of the fundamental principle of property are challenges of the European future of our country. I invite all to be united in a joint front and overcome those challenges. I invite all with full transparency to prove in front of our future that all these phenomena are not tendencies of our society, but only its passing illnesses.
In a general assessment, the economy of Albania, although it is facing the consequences of the global energy crisis, is characterized by a stable macro-economic situation. The Albanian exports are enjoying an increasing tendency and direct foreign investments are high by giving hope for a continuous stabilization. Albania is being placed under the focus of interest from powerful foreign investors who are participating in important projects of the Albanian economy: such as in energy, mining, commercial banks, tourism and infrastructure. The fiscal reform of this year with the flat tax of 10%, the lowest one in all the European countries, and the founding of the domestic business registering Agency in the One-stop-shop system create the ground to attract foreign investments and support the domestic business. This positive climate produced a successful tourism season for Albania with an increase of the tourists’ number compared to last year.
I judge that the economic policies must be oriented first of all towards the long-term amortizing of the power crisis consequences and prevention of possible crisis in the future. Today we are at a moment when, just to add a brief comment, we cannot talk only by using positive notes about economy: naturally we talk positively for its tendency. Today there is an ongoing social debate and to go back to first phrase I used in my opening remarks: that such forums have an extraordinary importance for us all, for politicians, for parliamentarians, for the people who are involved in foreign policy, for the economists, for the academicians, but referring to a debate on the common social ground, it seems today that there are problems of the acute nature and to break free from the phraseology of the speeches regarding the economic trends, there is no way to avoid the present debate related to the price of a basic and vital element such as bread. In order not to go over board and make the discussion on a very theoretical and academic ground, it is very important for such forums to combine what is the trend of economy, which is very positive, but also many elements which the politics and state first of all need to take into consideration and offer short-term, mid-term and long-term solutions.
Keeping in mind the fact that the private sector composes 80% of the GDP contribution of our country, the economic and financial policies must secondly encourage their positive experiences, support the projects and qualitative products, urge and encourage the domestic product and create the ground for a fair competition. Our integrating approach demands a qualitative and competing market and more and more Made in Albania products in both the regional market and beyond that.
Albania is determined to fulfill not only its political obligations in order to receive the NATO accession invitation during the April Summit in Bucharest. I deem as obligation the unwavering assessment of public opinion for the NATO accession of Albania and at the same time as a great encouragement and responsibility. A support of 90% in favor of Albania’s accession to NATO is more than a plebiscitary vote, is more than a referendum: it is an unwavering trust for the future of Albania in this Alliance.
During the last fifteen years we have enjoyed a close, uninterrupted and loyal cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance by putting in its disposition our harbors, airports and territory for training objectives and other important missions. During this collaboration process, we have acted as de facto members of the Alliance. Under this spirit we will continue also after the de jure accession in it. The transparency and constructiveness have been fundamental characteristics of this Albania – NATO collaboration, a characteristic which was further improved and enriched especially after the Washington Summit with the creation of Membership Action Plan.
Albania is the first and sole country in the world which has successfully eliminated all its chemical weapons. The western vision of action and reforms, which has been already embraced by the entire politics and Albanian society, and the restructuring and modernization of our Armed Forces make us more and more part of the fundamental values upon which the Euro-Atlantic structures are founded. The passing of the defense budget of 2% of the GDP in 2008 was an unwavering proof of that.
I asses that contribution of our country in the fight against terrorism on both the individual and global levels through the deployment of our armed forces contingents to Iraq or Afghanistan is an indispensable part of the capacitating programs of our military structures. They must be able to face the possible regional or global risks.
Albania considers the important Adriatic 3 process as the main integrating-cooperative mechanism in the steps taken towards NATO. We remain very serious in respecting this program also as the example of the successful regional cooperation, but also believing that the invitation that we seek from the Bucharest Summit will be based especially upon the main mechanism for the assessment of the candidacies on individual achievements and performance of every candidate country.
I would like to emphasize that the good-neighborly and cooperation relations with the countries of the region are and will remain in continuity an unchangeable priority of foreign affairs policy. It is self-conscious about the need of strengthening the cooperation with the countries of the region by respecting their sovereignty and territorial integrity. This composes also the foundation of our relations will all these countries.
Albania is vitally interested for a stabilized region where peace and cooperation reign and also for sustainable positive relations with its neighbors. Albania understands the integration of the Balkans as a precondition of integration in Europe.
Personally I appreciate the recent year’s tangible improvement of the political climate in the region, which is reflected in both the bilateral relations and multilateral ones. The new spirit of cooperation, the new mentality and individual contributions of each country serve to create a positive image of the region and to re-dimension its role in rapport to the main partners: the EU member countries and United States and also in a more general framework. Balkans does not suffer anymore from acute and concerning problems, but is has initiated integrating processes which require their own time to be concluded. It is no longer a field of internal conflicts or wars instigated from outside. On the contrary, the Western Balkans countries are being transformed more and more day by day into integrating and cooperating spaces that implement the global policies of security and great investments.
The European integration has already become the common language of all the countries of our region. Regardless of individual achievements or slow-downs, these countries have in front of them the same and sole way of reforms to be aligned with standards of other EU countries. The victory of President Tadiæ during the last presidential elections in Serbia, although it was a narrow win, besides offering a reflection of a visible political division of the Serbian society, gave him the constitutional right of European orientation of this important Western Balkans country.
We must all be interested, debate and encourage the economic dimension of regional cooperation as an indispensable ante-chamber of the integration into the European Union. The Treaty on the Energy Community has entered into effect on July 1, 2006, while the economic cooperation among our countries becomes easier also by the activation of CEFTA in the region of South Eastern Europe.
Personally I hold the view that these important regional processes of economic character cannot be met by full implementation or success if they are not accompanied by liberalizing reforms of the free movements of our citizens in our region. The unobstructed movement free of administrative barriers and inter-border restrictions besides encouraging the economic, trading and tourism development would help also the process of getting the peoples closer, knowing one another, peoples which although they are neighbors, still for centuries preserve reciprocal mentalities and prejudices. I am optimistic that the spirit of cooperation and understanding on this issue will bear its fruits not only in the rapports with our neighboring state, Macedonia, but also with other regional countries as well.
The Albanian factor which is present in the regional countries has played an important role to increase and strengthen inter-state relations, to increase the spirit of reciprocal understanding and trust with these countries. They serve as true connecting and communication bridges between Albania and these countries. The perspective of the regional and European integration presumes the enhancement of ties and cooperation and reduction and less historical, geographical and ethnic divisions.
During this unstoppable integrating regional flow, the role of the Albanian factor has been irreplaceable. I support and commend the positions and messages that convey the spirit of institutional cooperation, commitment and action, free of nationalistic and conflicting rhetoric. They are expressions of the high responsibility of their contribution.
2008 will soon offer a new geo-political reality in our region. We are prepared for this. An independent Kosova, a state with all the characteristics of an internationally independent subject, which will be determinedly supported by Albania.
I re-enforced my conviction, especially after my visit there, that Kosova is very close to the proclamation of independence in close coordination with its international allies, that the number of countries that will recognize this new political subject will be considerable in the beginning and then it will gradually increase, that the Government of Kosova has given all the practical guarantees for the respect and preservation of national minorities, especially the Serbian one, that the independence of Kosova is the key to long-term and sustainable security in all the Western Balkans and attract foreign investors. The independence of Kosova is no longer a problem to be resolved – it is a Euro-Atlantic process which needs to be understood the right way, especially by its neighbors.
Albania will help for Kosova to overcome as soon as possible and successfully its challenge of being internationally recognized, strengthening its internal economic and political stability and becoming part of the regional integrating processes. Kosova is the last and politically still unresolved issue of an artificially build state, of a failed Yugoslavia – this is the ultimate triumph of democracy over the ruins or last throes of dictatorship in the region and this is the re-establishing of justice over wronged history.

President Bamir Topi’s speech held at the Forum on Albania’s 2008 Agenda on Domestic and Foreign Policy organized by the Albanian Institute for International Studies. The Future Status of Kosovo

On December 16th, 2007 the AIIS organized a public speaking event in Sheraton International Hotel with Veton Surroi, one of the most prominent Kosovo Albanian publicists and politicians, leader of the political party “Ora” and member of the Kosovo negotiating team. For circa 60 minutes Mr. Surroi addressed and audience made up of senior Albanian politicians and members of the diplomatic community accredited in Tirana. The future status of Kosovo, the possible outcomes to this seemly intractable problem and costs and benefits of the alternative solutions under discussion, as well as their repercussions for the broader Balkan region were the subject of the discussions and the questions and answers session that followed.

EU Integration: Regional Experiences and the Need for Local Ownership
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With the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, on November 20th, AIIS organized the conference titled “EU Integration: Regional Experience and the Need for Local Ownership.” The conference discussed the serious lack of local ownership of the process of integration in Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as well as the steps that are being undertaken to address this problem. The event was envisioned as a forum of senior representatives of Albanian institutions, representatives of the international community, Albanian and Macedonian experts, and representatives of the local government and of civil society in Albania. The Albanian experience was presented by Mr. Albert Gajo, Deputy Minister of Integration and Mr. Ilir Meta, Head of the Parliamentary Commission for European Integration. The audience was also addressed by His Excellency the German Ambassador Mr. Borchardt, who shared the view of integration from the German perspective, and by Albanian and Macedonian experts, such as Dane Taleski from the Institute for Democracy Skopje, who analyzed the economic effects of integration and exchanged the experiences of the two countries with regional cooperation projects.
AIIS also presented its latest informative publication titled “Regional Cooperation for Development and European Integration.” As a product of a regional project involving 7 Balkan countries, the publication seeks to contribute to the enhancement of regional cooperation as a practical guide for the relevant institutions and the wider public.

Albania and the EU: Perceptions and Realities 2007
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On October 18th the Albanian Institute for International Studies organized its fifth annual conference since 2002 (Hotel Tirana International) on the perceptions and attitudes of Albanians towards the EU and the integration process. The conference discussed the findings of the survey by the same title conducted by the AIIS during June and July 2007.
Differently from previous years however when the AIIS aimed to gauge the perceptions, awareness and levels of information of the elite groups of Albanian society, in 2007 the target group of the survey were Albania’s ordinary citizens. The findings which were compiled into a report published by the AIIS in November include data on the support and opposition to the EU integration project, awareness of costs and benefits of the process as well as understanding of the nature of the European Union. The conference was attended by a number of distinguished guests, such as the Albanian Minister for EU Integration, Her Excellency Majlinda Bregu, former prime minister and Head of Parliamentary Committee on Integration Ilir Meta, Head of EU Delegation in Tirana, Mr. Helmut Lohan, His Excellency the Spanish Ambassador, Manuel Montobbio as well as by AIIS members, Dr. Albert Rakipi and Mr. Maklen Misha. The report based on the survey has also been published by the AIIS and, alongside the previous four reports, it constitutes an invaluable source of information on the trends of support and opposition to the EU integration process, what the Albanians expect to gain or lose from accession into the EU, as well as on the perceptions of Albanians on the nature and mission of the Union.

The State of the European Union and the Accession Perspectives of Albania
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On Monday September 24th 2007 the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) organized a workshop on the state of the European Union, the accession perspectives of Albania and the costs, challenges and benefits to be gained by membership. The participants discussed the achievements Albania has made in its integration process and the significant challenges that still lay ahead for the country as well as some of the shortcomings that have contributed to slowing the pace of reforms. The discussions also focused on the integration experiences of Slovenia and Hungary which helped place the Albanian case in perspective, as well as on the state of the European Union and the position of the new member states in it. Another line of discussions focused on the economic aspects of the EU integration such as criteria for businesses and the economic consequences of EU membership.
The workshop which was conducted under the moderation of Dr. Albert Rakipi the Executive Director of the AIIS was attended by a number of distinguished guests such as the former Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of parliament Besnik Mustafaj, deputy minister for Integration Alfred Gajo Michael Ehrke from the Fredrich Ebbert Stichtung Budapest as well as a number of renowned experts on the field of EU integration such as Professor Attila Agh of the Corvinus University, Budapest, Janja Petkovisk of the Slovenian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, professor Andras Inotai, director of the Institute for World Economics in Budapest and Andrej Kumar of the University of Ljubjana.

AIIS Conference
"Albania and EU - Perceptions & Realities 2006"
Tirana, 21 November 2006. Albanian Institute for International Studies has organized on November 21st 2006 (Hotel Tirana International) the annual conference Albania and EU - Perceptions & Realities 2006 which marked the launch of the fourth annual survey study aiming at identifying Albanians' perceptions on and acquaintance with EU and European integration process. The survey was for the first time carried out by the AIIS team in 2002 - few months before the official start of the SAA negotiations with EU - and almost four years afterwards (2006), it identifies not only the latest changes in Albanians' attitude towards EU integration but also the tendencies of such alternations over a four year period as compared to the previous three reports (2002 - 2005).Participants at the conference - representatives of Albanian institutions, political life, think tanks, media, academia, business community, foreign Embassies and representatives of the wider international community in the country - were addressed by the Albanian Minister of European Integration H.E. Arenca Trashani, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on European Integration, Mr. Ilir Meta and AIIS representatives - Dr. Albert Rakipi (AIIS Executive Director) and Mrs. Sabina Ymeri (Deputy Executive Director). Lively discussion at conference involved not only the findings of the latest survey, but also the challenges and prospects of the European integration process, particularly following the signing of the SAA and the forthcoming entry into force of the Interim Agreement (December 2006).This project in 2006 has been granted financial support by the SOROS Foundation (NOSA Albania) and Balkan Trust for Democracy.

AIIS International Conference
"Balkan Security and Kosovo's Final Status"
Tirana, 21 October 2006. The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) with the support of Friedrich Ebert Foundation organized on October 21st 2006 (Tirana), an international academic conference entitled "Balkan Security and Kosovo's Final Status" aiming to evaluate the relationship between Balkan Security and Kosovo's final status. The conference had a widespread representation of panelists - well-known professors, academics and researchers from USA, Europe and the Balkan region - who brought valuable diverse experience and insights to the discussions that took place in the Tirana International Hotel. More specifically, the discussions focused on three major thematic areas: Views from the region on Kosovo's final status; Views from the international community on Kosovo's final status; and economic and governance challenges for post-status Kosovo.
The international conference took place at a time when the process of Kosovo's final status negotiations has already started and may be finalized in 2006. The UN Security Council, the European Union and the Contact Group are all dealing with this issue. The progress of the talks and their outcome will not only be of primary importance for Kosovo's future but it will also have direct repercussions on Balkan security and the process of Euro-Atlantic integration.

After Initialling the SAA The Road Ahead
-Round Table Discussion-
Tirana, March 6th 2006. Albania has recently concluded the negotiations on the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), which notes a major step ahead on the country's road towards EU membership. On 18th February 2006 the Commissioner responsible for enlargement, Mr. Olli Rehn and the Albanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Besnik Mustafaj, initialled the Agreement, which is expected to be officially signed and open for ratification soon this year. This event notes the beginning of a new stage in the country's integration process, a challenging period in implementing the necessary reforms in key areas for Albania's further democratization and its economic and social development.
Tirana, March 6th 2006.Following this major achievement as regarding the European integration process, Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Tirana Office) and Soros Foundation - Albania, , organized a round table discussion "After Initialling the SAA - The Road Ahead". The main goal of this initiative is to bring the European integration process closer to Albanian stakeholders and to the wider public, through gathering in a discussion forum eminent scholars, experts and representatives of other social communities interested and/or involved in Albania's EU integration efforts.
The audience in this round table - representatives from the civil society, media, academic community, experts, foreign embassies and representatives of the wider international community in Albania - was addressed by H.E. Arenca Trashani - Minister of European Integration, Mr. Carlo Natale - EC Delegation in Albania, Mrs. Ermelinda Meksi - MP and former Minister of European Integration, Dr. Ronald Linden - Professor at the Pittsburgh University, Dr. Albert Rakipi - AIIS Executive Director. Participants in this round table discussed the so far progress and the country's future prospects on its path towards EU membership.

AIIS European Forums
-European integration -
"Perceptions & Realities"
Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has conducted for the third time (2002, 2004 and 2005) the annual survey "European integration - Perceptions & Realities" on the perceptions and acquaintance with European Union and European integration process of a carefully selected target group including: public administration, local government, media, local NGOs and business community in Albania. In the framework of this project, financially supported by the Soros Foundation Albania and the Embassy of United Kingdom in Tirana, From January - March 2006, AIIS has initiated a series of debate forums in ten major cities throughout Albania: Shkodra, Lezhe, Durres, Lushnje, Kavaje, Pogradec, Elbasan, Korçe, Vlore and Gjirokaster. Representatives of the Albanian Institute for International Studies - Dr. Albert Rakipi, Mr. Gjergji Vurmo and Mr. Jorgji Qirjako - have discussed with local stakeholders the findings of the survey, as well as other issues regarding the country's integration process, the progress achieved and the challenges ahead. The main goal of such gatherings with representatives of local business community, academia, civil society, media and other stakeholders is to explain and to demystify the European integration debate by bringing this process closer to the local stakeholders and the general public.
While offering their outlook on the process, participants in their comments and questions focused on several issues of the European integration process such as costs and benefits of EU membership, Albania's democratization, economic and social development, public awareness and acquaintance with the process, time-frame of integration, openness and inclusiveness of the integration process, neighboring countries' progress etc. Following the initialling of the SAA between Albania and the Commission (February 18th 2006) special emphasis was put on specific details of the SAA procedure - official signing procedure, implementation, outcomes, ratification and the subsequent steps towards the finalization of this process.
The European Forum, as part of the AIIS European Program activities will continue to contribute towards europeanization of Albanian society, through increasing awareness on and through improving the involvement of national and local stakeholders in the European integration process. National Conference
"Rethinking European Integration: Perceptions and Realities, 2005"
Tirana, Dec 15th 2005 - On the 15th of December 2005, AIIS organized a national conference to launch the results of its annual study "Rethinking European Integration: Perceptions and Realities, 2005" at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. Keynote speakers included AIIS Chairman Dr. Albert Rakipi, H.E. Minister of European Integration Arenca Trashani, H.E. Ambassador of HMG Richard Jones, Executive Director of SOROS Foundation in Albania Capajev Gjokutaj, and Head of Economic, Political & Press Section of the Delegation of the European Commission in Albania Mr. Carlo Natale. The audience included representatives from Albanian institutions, political life, think tanks, media, academia, diplomatic corps accredited to Tirana and other international institutions.
The study was presented by AIIS Deputy Director, Ms. Sabina Ymeri. Some of the findings highlighted by Ms. Ymeri include the high but declining support for Albania's EU membership, the increasing knowledge of the 5 target groups on EU institutions and more realistic expectations of the process of integration. Also, the EU received a very positive evaluation as a strategic partner of the Albanian Government and a factor of peace, prosperity and democratization in the region (click on AIIS Publications for full text of report).
HE Minister Trashani underlined the determination of the Albanian Government to carry out the necessary political reforms in order to speed up Albania's integration. She also stressed the important role media, civil society and public opinion in general play in monitoring and evaluating Government efforts in this regard. On the other hand, British Ambassador HE Richard Jones assured the audience of Albania's European destiny and affirmed the will of the EU to help Albania on its European road. The speeches were followed by a lively discussion on Albania's efforts to fulfill its SAA obligations, European policies towards Albania and enhancing the inclusiveness of the policy-making process.

EU accession - Hungarian and Slovenian experience
November 9th 2005, Tirana;Albania has recently moved closer to signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), which according to the latest European Commission Progress Report (2005) is expected to take place in the first half of 2006. However, the long negotiating process (almost three years) and the country's modest progress in the SA process, more than ever underline the need for improving the country's capacities while facing the many challenges ahead. Making use of other country's best practices and exchanging experiences with regional top experts in the integration process has been identified as an extremely useful tool to improve the country's performance.
Taking note of the aforementioned need, Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), Tirana office, organized on November 9th a round table on the Hungarian and Slovenian EU accession experience. Participants in the round table were coming from the Ministry of European Integration, the respective departments in the line ministries, representatives from civil society, foreign diplomats in the country, academics etc.
The workshop was addressed by Mr. Albert Gajo - Deputy Minister for European Integration, Mr. Michael Ehrke - Director of FES, Budapest office and the AIIS Executive Director, Dr. Albert Rakipi. Professor Andras Inotai, Director of the Institute for World Economics - Budapest and Mr. Peter Gyorkos - Vice President of the Hungarian Government Office for European Affairs presented the Hungarian experience regarding the administrative challenges in the EU accession process and provided the audience with an overview of the costs and benefits of accession. The Slovenian experience was introduced by two Slovenian lead experts in this area: Professor Andrej Kumar (University of Ljubljana) and Mr. Peter Jesovnik, Deputy Director of the Slovenian Government Office for European Affairs. Mr. Kumar's presentation discussed the benefits from EU membership, emphasizing the fact that the Union provides its member states only with opportunities to benefit from membership, which understandably have to be used by each member state. Mr. Jesovnik focused on the challenges for private companies and the economy during the pre-accession process and after membership is achieved.
Both experiences were welcomed by the participants in the workshop who discussed with their Hungarian and Slovenian colleagues several issues from these countries' experience and the Albanian efforts in the stabilization and association process.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Regional Conference: “Security and Development Agenda of the Western Balkans”
The conference aims to present as complete and exhaustive a picture as possible of the closely interlinked security, development and Euro-Atlantic integration agendas of the countries of the region, the development and security implication of the Kosovo issue, and the various other threats and challenges the region faces from a regional as well as US and EU perspective. To this end the conference has been organized around three main sections:

Speakers in the first
section will look at the security and development agendas of the countries of the Western Balkans, i.e. at their hierarchy of perceived threats and economic and development priorities. The economic priorities and threats to stability in the Western Balkans have changed along with the progress the region has made in its attempts towards democratization and integration. Thus it seems fair to assume that economic development, fighting organized crime and corruption are now much higher in the order of priorities than ethnic strife, but yet ethnic tensions and uncertainties do persist although in a much less pronounced form than was the case during the 1990s and 2001. Given the closely interlinked relationship between security and development it is of the outmost importance to determine what the perceptions of the Western Balkans and the International Community in the shape of EU and NATO is on the subject. The first section of the conference will thus aim to elucidate the priorities of the Western Balkans in this regard as well as the view from the EU and NATO.

The second section of
the conference will discuss the issue of Kosovo’s status, its implications and potential consequences, for security and economic development in the region. This is indeed the most delicate situation with the most significant implications the region has faced in recent years and bears with it the potential of renewed instability and strife for the whole region. It is hoped that by the date of the conference there will be more clarity on this issue of major importance for the region and that the discussions will not remain purely in the realm of speculations or educated guesses. However, be that as it may, one thing the conference will address is already clear: the issue of Kosovo is to a great extent holding the future of the region hostage and without addressing it thoroughly any discussions on the security and development of the Western Balkans would be incomplete and unrealistic. Nevertheless while representing a serious challenge, the solution of the Kosovo issue also offers a tantalizing hope for a region where ethnic tensions are finally laid to rest. This will be the angles along which the issue will be discussed in the conference.

The third section of the conference will discuss the role of the politics of integration in the Western Balkans region as it pertains to their development and security. The “carrot” of Euro – Atlantic integration has certainly played a determining role in bringing stability and increased efforts towards democratization to the region, but the changed situation in the region raises an important question: do NATO and the EU need to change their approach and policies vis-à-vis the Western Balkans? Speakers from the region would make presentations on the role of policies to date in achieving security and development as well as on the expectations they hold on how the EU and NATO should address the problems, and concerns of the region in the future. At the same time speakers from NATO and the EU would elaborate the views and evaluations from a Euro-Atlantic perspective, as well as the future plans of these two institutions on the Western Balkan region.

As can be seen from the brief description of the structure of the conference, the first two sections, by presenting an overview of the current situation would naturally set the stage for presentations on the future of the region. The participation of guests from several countries in the Western Balkans would give the conference significant depth of regional perspective. Conversely the participation of guests from the US, and various EU representatives as well as EU member states, with similar and yet differing agendas, attitudes, perceptions and expectations would provide for greater insight into the future of the region.

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