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Europe
Albania |
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Last reviewed: 16 March 2009 |
Country information
International relations
Albania relations with UK
The British Embassy in Tirana works with international and local partners to implement projects that facilitate Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) objectives and strategic priorities. The following funds are available:
The Strategic Programme Fund (SPF) - previously known as Global Opportunities Fund (GOF) is the FCO's most important Programme Budget, and is divided into strands which reflect the UK's Department Strategic Objectives (DSOs). The purpose of SPF is to promote action on global issues in areas of strategic importance to the UK.
SPF "Reuniting Europe" – to extend the success of enlargement by supporting countries through the EU integration process, particularly in the fields of improved governance and economic growth. This is one of the SPF strands under which Albania qualifies for funding as a priority country.
SPF Drugs and Crime Programme – efforts to tackle drugs and organised crime are supported, where appropriate, by funds for bilateral and multilateral project work from the FCO’s SPF.
UK assistance in Albania
Funds for financial year 2008-09| DSO | Strategic Programme Fund (SPF) | Objective |
Value
|
| 1 | SPF Drugs and Crime Programme (DCP) SPF DCP for 2008 to 09 fund not yet available. |
Assist and support the Albanian authorities in tackling organised crime, particularly drugs and human trafficking. | £842,924 – for 2007 to 08 |
| 8 | SPF Re-uniting Europe (RE) Programme Four different projects |
Increase political transparency and good governance in Albania. Build capacity in Albanian public | £212,050 |
| 1, 3-6, 8 |
Bilateral Programme Budget (BPB) – devolved allocation |
Support the delivery of all Post Objectives. |
£65,000 |
| 1, 3-6, 8 |
Chevening Programme (Scholarships) Five Scholars in Academic year 2008-09 |
Promote the UK’s longer-term political, economic and commercial interests and support diplomacy and goodwill through offering study in the UK to potential leaders, decision makers etc. |
£75,000 plus £31,372 carried over from FY 07-08 |
| 1, 3-6, 8 |
Chevening Programme (Fellowships) Number not yet known |
Promote the UK’s longer-term political, economic and commercial interests and support diplomacy and goodwill .through offering study in the UK to potential leaders, decision makers etc |
NYK |
Relations with Neighbours
Albania has good relations with all her neighbours.In March/April 1999, around 480,000 Kosovar refugees entered Albania during the Kosovo crisis. Albania was a staunch supporter of NATO military action and around 9,000 troops were deployed in Albania before crossing into Kosovo. Albania supports the international community's policy towards Kosovo.
Albania has consistently supported the international community's position on the Balkans, including in Kosovo. The Albanian government took a decisive stance in the 2001 crisis in Macedonia by strongly condemning the actions of ethnic Albanian rebels, whilst emphasising the need for all communities in Macedonia to enjoy equal rights.
Relations with EU
Albania has actively pursued closer relations with the EU. NATO and EU membership are the key elements of Albania's foreign policy. At the November 2000 Zagreb summit, participants agreed that a high level steering group should report on Albania's candidate status for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), the first step towards EU membership. The steering group recommended in June 2001 that, despite continuing concerns over the judiciary, corruption and organised crime, a negotiating mandate should be prepared for an SAA. The mandate was completed and negotiations were formally opened in January 2003. The SAA was signed on 12 June 2006.EU Assistance
PAMECA III - Police Assistance Mission of the European Community to Albania
PAMECA III will run from 2008-2011 and will build upon the work of previous EU funded policing projects, in order to meet the assessed needs of the Albanian State Police as the key beneficiary and will also generate improvements for secondary beneficiaries (Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice, General Prosecutors Office etc).
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)
The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) is the Community's financial instrument for the pre-accession process for the period 2007-2013. Assistance is provided on the basis of the European Partnerships.
Its main aim is to support institution-building and the rule of law, human rights, including the fundamental freedoms, minority rights, gender equality and non-discrimination, both administrative and economic reforms, economic and social development, reconciliation and reconstruction, and regional and cross-border cooperation.
NATO
Albania is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace and formally applied to join NATO in early 1992. In June 1998, a NATO cell was set up in Tirana to co-ordinate Partnership for Peace assistance. Albania continues to contribute to international military operations and, in recent times, has contributed troops to operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan and Iraq.
On 10 June 2007, Albania welcomed George W Bush for a brief visit, the first ever by a serving US President. He met senior parliamentarians, President Moisiu and the Prime Minister, Sali Berisha. At a press conference afterwards, President Bush thanked Berisha for Albanian troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he looked forward to welcoming Albania into NATO some day, and urged government and opposition politicians to work together to meet the standards required for NATO membership. During his visit, President Bush was warmly received by public and politicians alike, receiving the "Order of the Nation's Flag" (the country's highest honour). In April 2008, Albania was invited to join NATO at the alliances summit in Bucharest, Foreign Minister, Lulzim Basha stated that "the invitation is a milestone for Albania and its relationship with NATO, and it is one of the most important events in our history."
Visits
Inward
- Ilir Meta, Leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI), met Caroline Flint, Minister for Europe on 12 of March 2009.
- Edi Rama, Leader of the Opposition party met Caroline Flint, Minister for Europe on 3 of November 2008.
- Prosecutor General, Ina Rama met the Head of Drugs and International Crime and other officials in the FCO on 22 October 2008.
- Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha met the Foreign Secretary on 12 February 2008.
- Dr Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of Albania visited the UK from 15-17 October 2007. He spoke at the Oxford Union and called on the Foreign Secretary, as well as the Secretary of State for Defence and the Speaker of the House of Commons.
- Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha met the Foreign Secretary on 12 February 2008.
- Foreign Minister Besnik Mustafaj visited the UK on 8 March 2006 and met with the Minister for Europe, Douglas Alexander; the Home Secretary and senior officials at the MOD, DfID and No 10.
- President Alfred Moisiu visited London and Oxford on 9-10 November 2005. He spoke at the Oxford Union on the subject of 'religious tolerance' and met with Foreign Office Minister Lord Triesman
- Vernon Coaker, Minister of Sate visited Tirana on 16-18 February 2009. He had meetings with top officials, including the President Bamir Topi to discuss UK’s support for Albania in its fight against organised crime.
- Sylvia Heal, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons met members of the Parliament in September 2008.
- Sir Ken McDonald QC, Head of the CPS and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) visits Albania and met Ina Rama, Prosecutor General and Prime Minister, Sali Bersiha in May 2008.
- British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union consisting of Madeline Moon, David Chaytor, John Grogan and Mark Pritchard, visited Albania in November 2007 and various MPs.
- FCO Minister of State Dr Kim Howells visited Tirana on 11 May 2006. He held meetings with the Prime Minister, the Interior Minister, the Justice Minister and Foreign Minister.
- The Home Secretary visited Tirana on 4 April 2006 and had meetings with the Prime Minister, the Interior Minister, the Justice Minister and the Foreign Minister.
- The Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Ivor Caplin visited Albania between 15 to16 March 2005. He visited the British War Memorial in Tirana National Park and had meetings with the Minister for Defence, the Chief of the General Staff and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
