GOVERNMENT PROGRAM

2005-2009

Presented in the Albanian Parliament

Tirana on, 08.09.2005

THE EUROPEAN AND EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION.

The Government is well aware that membership in the European Union and NATO - two major priorities for all Albanians - demand utmost efforts and the contribution of all factors and actors in order to achieve the required standards in the field of democracy and rule of law, market economy and human rights. Development and integration are the two sides of the same coin, two closely related and interdependent processes. Development goes along integration and vice versa.

Free elections, fight against corruption, organized crime, trafficking and terrorism, security of the borders, rule of law, free market and functioning democracy, respect of human rights and minorities, good neighboring and cooperation for peace and prosperity without distinction for all the citizens of the Balkans, Europe and entire humankind are major criteria for fast integration into the EU.

Recent years’ slow and conflicting developments in this direction, such as installation of a corruptive economic and government system, tolerance towards crime and its connection with politics, state capture, lack of free and fair elections have been serious obstacles that have slowed down and even frozen the EU integration process.

The whole of the Government’s program is designed and will be implemented with the determination to achieve all the required standards that will lead to full membership in the European Union and in NATO, in the near future.

MPLEMENTATION AND COORDINATION OF REFORMS FOR EUROPEANIZATION AND INTEGRATION

The Government appreciates the great support and the willingness of the European Union and its member countries governments for the EU’s enlargement into the Western Balkans, and for offering Albania the opportunity to become part of the union.

Government believes that the European integration of the country rests in hands of Albanians themselves - the integration success depends on us and it is our responsibility. At the same time, the European integration enjoys the full and unwavering support of every actor of the Albanian society, out of which derives the energy and legitimacy of this great national effort. Due to this fact, the responsibility of the Albanian political class in general and of the Government in particular assumes a greater importance.

The Government’s European integration program is based on the requirements of the integration process, giving priority to those areas and directions that have clearly been indicated as problematic by the periodic evaluations carried out by the European Commission. Achievement of European standards of a democracy based on free and fair elections, rule of law, border security, respect of human rights and minorities, and a free market economy are the main objectives of Government’s reforms and programs.

At the same time, effective fight against corruption, organized crime and trafficking will change the image of Albania and its government before European partners and the European public opinion, thus facilitating the integration process.

Government is committed to conclude very soon the negotiation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement and will demonstrate a strong willingness to fulfill all its engagements to the European Commission that will ensure signing of this agreement by next year.

After signing the agreement and fulfilling all the standards of citizens’ identification and registration as well as efficient border controlling, the Government will make efforts to ensure the free movement of Albanian citizens in the European Union territory.

Each ministry and public institution will develop and report its specific integration efforts, through measurable indicators and will be entirely responsible for the progress or delays in the implementation of its part of the integration reforms. Government will take all necessary organizational measures to ensure an effective and efficient coordination and monitoring of the activities of ministries and other institutions. Specialized units of coordination and monitoring of the European integration reforms will be set up and operate in every such institution.

Signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement will be followed by intensive and coordinated efforts to fulfill all its objectives and requirements in due time.

The European integration process will be an open process and the Government welcomes the contributions of the opposition, other state institutions, civil society, business community, media and every citizen. Government will be very open and will seriously consider any suggestion and comment addressed to it during this process.

Government is open and will also welcome the periodic evaluations and recommendations provided by the European Commission, European Parliament and other European institutions will conduct on Albanian progress and will seriously reflect and act upon them.

In the integration process, Government will make use of all accumulated experience by other new member countries or by those that are going through the process of gaining membership in the European Union. In the mean time, the Government will collaborate with other countries in the Western Balkans to increase the chances of more pre-accession funds by the European Union.

Albanian human and financial resources and all other factors will be oriented towards development and European integration processes. The Government will enhance its absorption capacities of funds provided by the European Union and other donors, directing them mainly towards integration reforms.

The European integration process will also be supported by programs that would aim to inform and educate the public at large, and in particular the young generation, on European issues and topics, thus promoting understanding and sharing of European values by Albanian society. At the same time, Government will work to increase the knowledge and information on Albania by European societies.

In the foreign policy area, government stands by the commitment made by the Democratic Party to Albanians 15 years ago to give Albania a respected place in the family of democratic countries. To this end, foreign policy of the government during the next four years will be driven towards country’s integration in the European Union and NATO. The entire diplomatic activity will support the Government’s task of accomplishing the necessary reforms needed to fulfill European requirements, without which there cannot be integration.

We notice with pleasure that socialist government foreign policy has followed the same path paved by the Democratic Party government in the first period of transition. Our government remains determined to further consolidate the wide consensus on foreign policy and enhance the diplomatic professionalism and activity. Albania needs a realistic and pragmatic foreign policy that will support development and integration needs of the country. For this reason, economic diplomacy will be a main priority of the future. Albania has a great unused economic potential and a great need for foreign investments. It also has substantial investment absorption capacities. One of the primary tasks of the Albanian diplomacy will be the promotion of these potentials amongst foreign countries in order to attract foreign investments and boost mutual economic exchanges.

Albania is already a member country in many international organizations and coalitions, including the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the Antiterrorism Coalition, the Francophone Organization and many other economic, cultural, scientific, law, educational inter-governmental and non-governmental convents and structures. Our aim is to enhance Albania’s role in these organizations, improve the image of the country, and benefit from international projects through which member countries work together to ensure a balanced development of different regions of the planet.

Albania possesses the potentials to develop an active cultural diplomacy that will promote the recognition of our national identity by other countries and improve our image through exposure of our best national values. Cultural diplomacy, as it has already been proven, is an efficient way of attracting foreign tourists and promoting Albania’s inclusion in the global process of cultural exchange.

Albania enjoys good and very good bilateral relations with all the countries of the democratic world. This is a sound foundation to move ahead in enhancing and intensifying these relations in the future.

Relations with the United States remain of a primary strategic importance to us. The United States of America is an indispensable ally of Albania’s new democracy. Albania will continue to offer its contribution with all its means in the Antiterrorism Coalition. With regard to the bilateral relations between two countries, there do exist all the conditions for a greater presence of American capital in the Albanian economy. The substantial assistance offered by the United States to Albania so far in the field of institution building and democracy and consolidation of the free market need to be complemented by American direct investments in the country, in particular in the strategic sectors of our economy. This objective will be a main priority of our bilateral relations with the United States of America.

Albania will continue to play its proper role to strengthen peace and stability in the region, through expanding and intensifying diplomatic, political and cultural relations with all countries in the region. It is very important that Albania does not have any unresolved issues with any of these countries; the relations are regulated by complete framework of agreements with each of these countries, signed and ratified by Parliament; it is necessary realize to the benefits of these agreements through concrete actions for their implementation. The coming four years will bring a higher level of relations and collaboration with Macedonia, Kosovo, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and other countries of the Balkans. We share with all these countries a common aim which is integration in the European Union and NATO and for this reason, all the agreements with these countries serve the reciprocal interest and this integration process. The tradition of friendship with Turkey will inspire additional efforts to expand our exchanges in all fields.

Intensification of the multifaceted and friendly bilateral relations with the member countries of the European Union, and especially with Germany, France, Great Britain, as well as with the countries with traditional relations, such as Austria, will facilitate the European integration process of Albania. A certain imbalance can be noted between the excellent political and diplomatic relations in contrast to the low level of economic relations. In the coming years, the Albanian diplomatic corps will focus its activities to adjust these imbalances. Relations with Greece and Italy, as friendly and neighboring countries, with a long history of rich relations with Albania and in the same time as members of the European Union and NATO, will be of priority.

In addition, the Government will aim to expand and improve the relations some countries who have an important role in current world economic and political affairs, such as Japan, India and Canada, which have also considerably supported the Albanian transition. China remains a constant partner, but with not yet fully  exploited opportunities for exchanges in the economic and cultural spheres. 

During this mandate, the Government will reform the network of Albania’s foreign representations in order to expand our diplomatic presence, strengthen the most important diplomatic missions and also increase the attention to emigrants.

NATIONAL SECURITY. NATO MEMBERSHIP. ALBANIA’S CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL PEACE AND SECURITY

Guaranteeing the national security is a major goal of the Government; this goal unites every national actor. National security is one and indivisible, on one hand from the priority legal and institutional reforms including the reform of the armed and national security structures and on the other hand, from the process to strengthen strategic alliances and Albania’s collaboration with all countries in the framework of global initiatives for the security of humanity, and especially with the process of Albania’s membership in NATO.

Albania is part of the Balkans geo-strategic environment, with clear positive tendencies in the improvement of security structures. European integration of the region is crucial and directly linked to all elements of national and regional security. The new geo-political environment, the transformation of the nature of threats from traditional military ones into other non-traditional and asymmetric threats will be the focus of work of all structures and entities, which have a role in strengthening the security of Albania.

The process of transformation of the Armed Forces and the reform in the security and defense field will consider the changes that have occurred and are under way, with the aim to respond appropriately to all challenges to the protection of national, regional and global security. Albania will comply with and respect the main documents adopted by Parliament in the field of defense such as: the Strategy of National Security and the Military Strategy of the Republic of Albania, seeking to carry out their periodic reviews and improvements.   

 The integration in the Euro-Atlantic security structures is a priority strategic objective of Albania’s foreign policy. This is and will remain a priority of every government. The last NATO Summits in Prague and Istanbul have clearly put forth tasks to be fulfilled by the candidate countries. As a candidate country, Albania is committed to build a consolidated democratic system, because it is convinced that the creation of a safe and stable environment, the consolidation of democratic institutions and the strengthening of the economy are inextricably tied to the integration processes.

Albanian membership in NATO will constitute a natural expansion of the Alliance in its Southeastern wing, as the favorable geographic position of Albania would effectively correspond to the new NATO strategy for the region.

As a Government of a candidate and partner country, it aims to receive the invitation for membership in the Alliance within the shortest time possible through the successful implementation of the transforming reforms in political, economic, social and military sectors.

The Government will intensify for the achievement of this strategic objective by enabling the necessary conditions for the respective structures to meet the Partnership Objectives and by reflecting as best as possible our achievements in the MAP, PARP and IPP documents and also our work in the framework of the Adriatic Charter, SEDM initiatives, etc. 

The contribution of Albania in preserving peace and security is one of the most precious assets, one of the most positive achievements that make us feel proud and dignified in the community of nations.

Albania was the first former communist country that asked from the very beginning of democracy, partnership and membership in NATO. Albania responded immediately to the request of the United States and NATO to be part of the “Partnership for Peace” and since 1996, is contributing to preserve regional peace and security in Bosnia-Herzegovina, fulfilling its mission in a professional manner.

After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Albania is contributing with peacekeeping forces in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and after the liberation of Iraq from Saddam Hussein’s regime, Albania is participating in the Iraqi Freedom peacekeeping operations in Mosul.

The Government appreciates and supports the participation of many other officers and lieutenants of our Armed Forces in the peacekeeping missions of the United Nations in Georgia or in the current presence of Albanian military personnel in various international military commandments.

The Government is determined to enhance and expand Albanian peacekeeping missions and the role of Albania in global peace and security, because in this way, we serve to our national security, as well as to guarantee the common values of humanity. In all cases, the respective decisions will be taken in consultation with the opposition, other state institutions and with every other important national actor.