EU To Invest EUR81 Million To Support Key Reforms In Albania

The European Commission on Monday announced that it will invest EUR81 million as the EU's renewed financial support to Albania's reform efforts. The funds will be used to address key priorities such as the reform of the judiciary, fight against organized crime, and the reform of the public administration system. They will also help improve Albania's transport infrastructure, modernize water and sanitation systems, and set up a range of services for social inclusiveness, the Commission said in a press release.

"For several years now, Albanian citizens have shown strong support for their country's accession to the EU. They know their daily lives will improve while their country moves forward on the path towards the EU. Further progress will depend on Albania's capacity to strengthen this common national objective and deliver on reforms. The EU is committed to assist Albania achieve this goal and I am confident that this year's program will visibly encourage a sustained pace of reforms in the country", said EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle.

The funding earmarked today comes under the 2012 annual program for Albania of the EU's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), and will be topped up with an additional EUR15 million of co-financing by Albanian authorities.

The funding will finance concrete projects in the area of justice reform and will improve the performance of the Albanian State Police. It will help build the new courthouse in Tirana and will restructure two border crossing points. Better financial and management control systems will be set up in local and national authorities, improving the efficiency of financial inspections. This will directly contribute to an effective and transparent use of public funds by the Albanian government.

Infrastructure funding will contribute to constructing the Rrogozhina bypass, thus improving road transport and safety. They will also help rehabilitate the sewage system in Vlora, which the European Commission expects to benefit the tourism industry in and around the sea-side resort.