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Judicial reform and combating organized crime top agenda of Friends of Albania meeting in Vienna
VIENNA 17 April 2002
VIENNA, 17 April 2002 - Judicial reform and combating organized crime as well as economic development in Albania were the main focus of today's meeting of the Friends of Albania (FOA) group, which is jointly chaired by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Portuguese Chairmanship and the European Union's Spanish Presidency.
The FOA group met in Vienna for its 6th international conference to discuss the process of democratic transition in Albania and to assess the progress made on institutional and structural reforms.
The Friends of Albania, an informal group of donor countries and international organizations, was established in September 1998 to reinforce and focus international support for Albania.
At the Vienna meeting, the Friends commended Albania for its constructive role in regional co-operation, welcoming in particular the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between Tirana and Skopje.
The Friends welcomed the progress achieved by Albania in relations with the European Union, which has brought the country to the threshold of negotiating a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).
The group expressed concern about weakness in the judicial sector, calling for a comprehensive national strategy on judicial reform.
While recognizing the reported significant decrease in the overall number of irregular migrants coming from Albania, the group noted the need to further address the problem of trafficking of women and children.
The Friends also noted the steps undertaken by Albania to collect and destroy small arms and light weapons and encouraged the Government to continue co-operation with the international community on this.
On economic development, the FOA group commended the Albanian authorities for adopting a National Strategy for Socio-Economic Development, but called for a more positive attitude towards small and medium-sized enterprises. The Friends also expressed concern about persistent electricity shortages and called for the adoption of a long-term national energy strategy.
In preparation for the conference, the FOA co-chairs met firstly members of the Albanian Government, with whom they had the opportunity to address the main issues of the conference. They later also held talks with leaders of the main political parties represented in Parliament - Ilir Meta and Fatos Nano from the Socialist Party, Skender Gjinushi from the Social-Democrat Party, Sali Berisha from the Democratic Party, Fatmir Mediu from the Republican Party and Genc Pollo from the New Democrat Party. The meetings took place in a constructive and co-operative atmosphere, reflecting the improved political climate in the country.
The main issues were the implementation of the recommendations of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on electoral reform in Albania and the role of political parties in institutional reform and in efforts to curb corruption and organized crime.
The Friends of Albania co-chairs expressed their hope that electoral reform would be achieved in the next two months and that consensus-building between the ruling parties and opposition would allow for broader participation by the opposition in the institution-building process. Both co-chairs and all political parties agreed on the importance of further progress in the SAA.
The FOA group met in Vienna for its 6th international conference to discuss the process of democratic transition in Albania and to assess the progress made on institutional and structural reforms.
The Friends of Albania, an informal group of donor countries and international organizations, was established in September 1998 to reinforce and focus international support for Albania.
At the Vienna meeting, the Friends commended Albania for its constructive role in regional co-operation, welcoming in particular the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between Tirana and Skopje.
The Friends welcomed the progress achieved by Albania in relations with the European Union, which has brought the country to the threshold of negotiating a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).
The group expressed concern about weakness in the judicial sector, calling for a comprehensive national strategy on judicial reform.
While recognizing the reported significant decrease in the overall number of irregular migrants coming from Albania, the group noted the need to further address the problem of trafficking of women and children.
The Friends also noted the steps undertaken by Albania to collect and destroy small arms and light weapons and encouraged the Government to continue co-operation with the international community on this.
On economic development, the FOA group commended the Albanian authorities for adopting a National Strategy for Socio-Economic Development, but called for a more positive attitude towards small and medium-sized enterprises. The Friends also expressed concern about persistent electricity shortages and called for the adoption of a long-term national energy strategy.
In preparation for the conference, the FOA co-chairs met firstly members of the Albanian Government, with whom they had the opportunity to address the main issues of the conference. They later also held talks with leaders of the main political parties represented in Parliament - Ilir Meta and Fatos Nano from the Socialist Party, Skender Gjinushi from the Social-Democrat Party, Sali Berisha from the Democratic Party, Fatmir Mediu from the Republican Party and Genc Pollo from the New Democrat Party. The meetings took place in a constructive and co-operative atmosphere, reflecting the improved political climate in the country.
The main issues were the implementation of the recommendations of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on electoral reform in Albania and the role of political parties in institutional reform and in efforts to curb corruption and organized crime.
The Friends of Albania co-chairs expressed their hope that electoral reform would be achieved in the next two months and that consensus-building between the ruling parties and opposition would allow for broader participation by the opposition in the institution-building process. Both co-chairs and all political parties agreed on the importance of further progress in the SAA.