OSCE/ODIHR to help modernize civil registry and address system in Albania

TIRANA/WARSAW, 8 September 2006 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will provide expertise to Albania's General Directorate of Civil Status to help modernize the country's civil registration and address systems.

A memorandum of understanding on this issue between the OSCE/ODIHR and the Albanian Interior Ministry was signed today.

Welcoming the invitation from the Albanian authorities to address recent ODIHR recommendations, Ambassador Christian Strohal, Director of ODIHR, said:

"The only viable solution to Albania's problematic voter lists is the development of a modern civil registry system based on high quality data. This cannot be done overnight. That is why ODIHR has recommended that the system is in place by the next parliamentary elections in Albania, scheduled for 2009. Work, however, needs to start now. "

The OSCE Presence in Albania and the ODIHR stand ready to assist Albania in implementing all OSCE election recommendations.