OSCE Presence, EU finalize project on modernizing Albania’s civil registry and address system

TIRANA, 17 February 2011 – The concrete results of a four-year project to modernize administrative addresses and civil registration systems in Albania were presented today at an event organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania, the Delegation of the European Union and the Interior Ministry.

The project assisted with the establishment of electronic systems for addresses and civil registration, the creation of an Office of the Personal Data Protection Commissioner and the installation of street signs in southern Albania, as well as with the promotion of these achievements through public awareness campaigns. The new civil registry provides a secure database necessary for the introduction of biometric passports, which in turn has been an essential contribution to complete the visa liberalization process.

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth, said: “The modernization of these systems is an important step to improve the delivery of public services in sectors such as health, taxation, property, social security, education and postal services, as well as to facilitate court proceedings, enforcement of rulings and response to emergency situations.”

The project “Modernization of the civil registry and address system in Albania” has been implemented by the OSCE Presence with 2.5 million euros in funding from the EU and additional funding from the OSCE. The Council of Europe co-operated on the data protection component. The EU also allocated over 10 million euros for both the census and the Personal Data Protection Commissioner.