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POLICY PAPERS

Enhancing Transparency of Political Parties and Election Campaign Finance in Albania

AIIS, Tirana 2007. The financial transparency of political parties in their day-to-day operations and during their electoral campaigns is one of the elements of a healthy and sustainable democracy. The policy paper analyses the specific case of Albania and focuses on the contemporary developments in the area of party financing. The paper explores the legal deficiencies of the existing Albanian legislation, its implementation problems, and the dynamics of the interplay between politics and business.

Increasing Transparency at the Local Level

AIIS, Tirana 2007. The report focuses on measuring the perceptions of the Albanians on their local authorities, their legitimacy, efficacy, and corruption. It reveals that the legitimacy of the local authorities was higher than that of the central institutions, including members of the parliament. However, their low efficacy and the high level of corruption challenged their legitimacy. The report concluded that transparency was a major factor that could fight corruption and improve the legitimacy of the local authorities.

Local Governance
and Corruption:
The Case of Albania,
the Decentralization Strategy from an Anti-Corruption Perspective

AIIS, Tirana 2006. The paper analyzes the decentralization issues from the perspective of corruption in order to warn that unless this trend is reversed, corrupt practices may become “institutionalized” in local authorities and threaten the purpose of decentralization- bringing government closer to citizens.

Albanian Democratization: In Search of Accountability

AIIS, Tirana 2005. The report examines how to increase accountability of national and local authorities. The report examines six variables- electoral processes, political parties, international community, civil society, media, and corruption- and how they affect accountability and identifies some of the major failures of the Albanian political system. The report concludes that Albania is far from being a consolidated democracy and provides specific policy recommendations for each examined variable.

Debating National Security- The Case of Albania

AIIS, Tirana 2004. The report is the outcome of the project “National security Issues- Promoting Civil Society Participation and Expertise”. The book analyzes several issues national security namely: border security, national security and religion, and corruption.

Democratic Governance at the Local Level - The Case of Albania

AIIS, Tirana 2003. The object of the report is to study how participation, decentralisation, and economic independence can increase the transparency, responsiveness, accountability, and the efficiency of local authorities.

WORKING PAPERS

Albanian immigrants in Athens: Power relations and health
By Anna Mousouli

AIIS, Tirana 2005. The author examines how power relations affect and shape the position, discourses, and practices of Albanian immigrants in their contact with Greek society and especially the health care system. The author studies the representations of social reality and experiences of the Albanian immigrants in Greece examining the Greek migratory policies, relationships in the labour market, and practices of social exclusion, police violence, etc. The paper emphases how social position and power relations determine their status in the health care system, their perception of health and the relationship between the Greek doctor and Albanian immigrant patient. These issues are illustrated through ethnographic data, gathered during fieldwork among Albanian immigrants in Athens.

The Politics of Religion in the Reconstruction of Identities - The Albanian Situation
By Albert Doja

AIIS, Tirana 2001. We should understand the successive processes of conversion and re-conversion among the Albanians and other Southeast European populations in terms of the dynamics of objectification and resistance against pressures exerted by authorities holding political and religious power. The approach allows us to place the religious affiliations within the broader context of negotiations and redefinitions of social identities, leading to the transformation of Albanian identity and ethnicity, and the reconstruction of political, social, and national identity.

Macedonia and the Albanians: The Confines of Ethnic Politics
By Aldo Bumçi

AIIS, Tirana 2001. The security of the Western Balkans depends on the preservation of stability in Macedonia and on the resolution of the Albanian question. The objective of the paper is to shed light on the relation between the Albanian and Macedonian communities in Macedonia and the relations between Albania, Macedonia, and Kosova.

NEW BOOK
WEAK STATES & SECURITY
Rethinking the Balkan Post-Cold War Security Agenda
By Albert Rakipi, Ph.D.
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AIIS, Tirana 2008. Although the weak/failing states have often been described as the single most important problem for the international order since the end of Cold War (F.Fukuyama 2004:92) several dimensions of this phenomenon still remain unexplored. While this phenomenon has been present in the international politics even earlier, only the post Cold War period accentuated its relationship with security issues.
Following the Cold War’s “peaceful” period and the bloody 1990s, the Balkan region today represents a mixture of weak states and international protectorates, positioned equally far from failure as from eventual success. This book suggests that there is a strong correlation between the weak state and security issues. By further investigating this kind of relationship it will analyze how state strength impacts security in the post Cold war world. The study will focus on domestic threats to security, concentrating on the Balkans, and in particular, analyzing the range of security problems for Albania and Macedonia. It therefore represents a genuine debate on the security dilemma at the domestic level in the post Cold war environment based on the argument that internal security issues have gained more importance relative to external threats with the demise of the bipolar international system.

Albanian Institute for International Studies, Tirana Albania. 2008,232p,paperback, €12,9 ISBN 978-99943-742-2-9
The book can be ordered at: aiis@aiis-albania.org

DEBATING INTEGRATION
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AIIS, Tirana 2003. The idea of European integration is gaining increasing popular support. Nonetheless, understanding the integration process is essential in order to convert it into a driving force for the progress of Balkan countries. The book combines different perspectives on the European integration, from in and out the region. The first part of the publication focuses on the case of Albania, while the second one aims to explore common challenges for the region.

BRITISH DIPLOMACY AND THE MAKING OF ALBANIA (1912-1914)
By Bledar Islami
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AIIS, Tirana 2003. The London Conference of Ambassadors (1912-1914) focused on Balkan Question stemming from the two Balkan Wars, and as such, it dealt with the so-called “Albanian Question”- recognition of the sovereignty, borders, and institutions of the nascent Albanian state. This crucial moment in Albanian history has been one of the most elaborated upon, and as it often happens with landmark events, one of the most misinterpreted and mythologized topics. Focusing on British diplomatic views and actions concerning Albania, the author tries to shed light on questions such as Great Britain’s interests towards Albania, British influence upon the decisions taken by the Conference of Ambassadors, and the extent to which the need to keep the balance in the European Concert influenced the British policy, etc.

ALBANIA, A WEEK STATE,
A WEAK DEMOCRACY
By Kajsiu B., Bumçi A., Rakipi A.

AIIS, Tirana 2002. Ten years after the fall of Communism, Albania remains an unstable democracy. The country is still recovering from the 1997- 1998 crises and lagging behind the other former Communist countries. The book is an attempt by the analysts of the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) to identify some of the main challenges faced by the Albanian society. The book offers some recommendations on how to overcome the problems.

STABILITY PACT - JUST AROUND
THE CORNER
AIIS, Tirana 2000. The book is a collection of the best contributions to the international symposium “Stability Pact, Perceptions and Realities” (Tirana, 16 April 2000). The contributions present the official viewpoints of the concerned countries on the Stability Pact.

Dissolution of Yugoslavia and the Case of Kosova: Political and Legal Aspects
By Enver Hasani
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AIIS, Tirana 2000. The author discusses in the monograph a number of core issues to the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Was former Yugoslavia an artificial creature and what are the reasons behind its creation? Do Kosova and its majority population have the right to self-determination and to independent statehood as the former Yugoslav republics? What was the role of Serbian nationalism in the creation and dissolution of former Yugoslavia?

Democracy and Security: Kosova
on the Agenda
AIIS, Tirana 1999. The contributors debated how to construct peace and stability in an ethnically divided society. Despite their differences, the authors agreed that democratisation of Kosova was not going to bring peace to Kosovo, a conclusion that was confirmed by the events on the ground.

STUDIES & REPORTS
European Union
and Albania:
Perceptions and Reality
AIIS, Tirana. The series “European Union and Albania: Perceptions and Reality- Rethinking the EU integration” is the product of a long-term project carried out by AIIS. The project “Albania and European Union: Perceptions and Realities”, assesses the Albanians’ perceptions and knowledge on European Union and the European integration process.

The Blood Feud: Between Kanun and the State - Rethinking Social and Institutional Responses to the Blood Feud Phenomenon

AIIS, Tirana 2007. The report contains a sociological explanation of the phenomenon and the research findings of our fieldwork carried out in Northwestern Albania where the blood feud phenomenon persists. The report includes also, an examination of how government agencies, local authorities, NGOs are responding to blood feud and dealing with its social consequences.

European Union Assistance Programmes INTERREG Initiatives in Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia

AIIS, Tirana 2007. As part of the Community Initiative, the INTERREG Programme constitutes one of the main elements of the European Union policy to promote economic and social cohesion. The goal is to reduce regional economic and social disparities. The southern regions of Italy and Greece are some of the largest beneficiaries of the programs. The report informs on the institutional aspects of Programs, and the possibilities of the Albanian regions to participate in the programs.

Regional Cooperation as Part of the European Development and Integration

AIIS, Tirana 2007. Regional cooperation is the precondition and the road towards EU membership, which remains the strategic goal of the Western Balkan countries. The goal of the paper was to inform local authorities and the public about the latest developments, possibilities for regional cooperation, and the most interesting fields of cooperation. The paper was the result of a project that included seven NGOs and research institutes from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosova, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia.

Cross Border Cooperation in Shkodra- Prospective Euro-Region or a Pending Effort?

AIIS, Tirana 2006. Since the fall of Communism and the tumultuous 90s, the international community has encouraged and supported cross border cooperation aiming to increase economic growth and reconcile communities after the ethnic conflicts that rampaged the Balkans in the 90’. The report focuses on Shkodra and its adjacent areas as one of the most attractive regions in Albania to develop cross border cooperation with Montenegro and Kosova.

Stabilization Association Agreement: Challenges and Implementation Consequences

AIIS, Tirana 2006. An informative publication on the SAA between Albania and European Union. It explains the history of relations between Albania and EU, the progress towards the EU membership, and challenges ahead.

Regional Economic Development and SMEs Progress within the SAA Implementation Framework

AIIS, Tirana 2006. The paper is a joint publication of Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS), Euro Balkan Institute (Macedonia) and CEPOR- SMEs Policy Center (Croatia), and focuses on the challenges and opportunities of the European integration. The research paper advocates a stronger role for the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The paper identifies the best practices and experiences in the field of regional development and SMEs progress as part of the SAA framework.

Early Warning Report Human Security in Albania

AIIS, Tirana April 2004. The Albania Early Warning Report develops an analytical tool to evaluate human security in the Albanian context. Human security is a very broad concept that encompasses economic, social, and political security and determines human development. The report focuses on the poverty and unemployment, rule of law and corruption, crime and personal security, natural disasters, and pollution, and their impact on human security and development. The paper studies also, the energy crisis in 2004, and its repercussions on the economic development and the daily life of citizens.

Back to Albania

AIIS, June 2004- May 2005, Funded by the Delegation of the European Commission in Albania. The research report addresses the brain drain phenomenon in Albania. The research report concludes that the brain drain phenomenon is delaying the Albanian transition to democracy and market economy. The report concludes with a number of recommendations on how to encourage the return of the Albanians educated abroad and assist their professional integration in Albanian society.

Albania and European Union - One Year after the Negotiation for Stabilization-Association Agreement

AIIS, January 2004. The report aims to inform the Albanian citizens on the Stabilization and Association Process, its technicalities, and on the impact of the Agreement on the Albanian politics and economy.

Albania and the European Integration

AIIS, Tirana 2004. The brochure, prepared in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, provides information on Albania’s relations with European Union, the essence and proceedings of the Stabilization Association Process and an overview of the history and institutions of the European Union.

Simplified Law on Local Institutions

AIIS, Tirana 2004. Two informative brochures funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in the framework of the project “Increasing Democratic Governance at the Local Level”, implemented by AIIS during 2004. The information is intended to assist municipal councils in their day-to-day work and to enhance local communities’ understanding of how local authorities operate. Further, they aim to increase participation and consolidate democratic governance at the local level.

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Last updated 7/8/08• webmaster@aiis-albania.org