Publisher: IDM – Instituti për Demokraci dhe Ndërmjetësim

What are donors, state and the civil society getting wrong?

What are donors, state and the civil society getting wrong?

Author(s): Gjergji Vurmo / Language(s): English

Keywords: Foreign Donors; World Bank; Non-for-Profit Law; USAID

Albania is touching down the third decade of political, economic and broader societal transformation efforts to join developed and western democratic polity model. Currently, consolidation of democratic institutions, accountability of governance system, citizen-oriented and participatory policy processes stand at the core of country’s objectives that will help Albanian society to better position into and benefit from globalization processes. EU accession is deemed in this context a challenge and also a major opportunity to deliver on citizens’ expectations for functioning democracy, sustainable development and prosperity.

Lost in Implementation

Lost in Implementation

Author(s): Gjergji Vurmo,Elira Hroni / Language(s): English

Keywords: Legislation; SAA-Process; EU-Integration

Albania has marked in the recent years a generally satisfactory progress in relation to SAA implementation, particularly in relation to the approximation of legislation with the EU acquis and framework policies. However, EC progress reports have repeatedly emphasized that the aligned legislation and also related strategic documents often lack adequate implementation in practice. The overall concerns arise at different stages of the policy and lawmaking cycle. Often, the government’s over-ambitious legislative agenda and limited parliamentary scrutiny result in numerous pieces of legislation being of low quality, with limited consultation with third parties and interest groups, a questionable level of expertise in the drafting phases and other factors all leading to a lack of understanding of the local context in which the legislation is to be adopted. This in turn leads to serious shortcomings in the implementation and espect for legislation which are further deepened in certain cases due to concerns over institutional and administrative capacities in enforcing legislation.

My kind of NATO: Perceptions from Albania

My kind of NATO: Perceptions from Albania

Author(s): Ilir Kalemaj,Elira Hroni / Language(s): English

Keywords: NATO in Albanian Perception;Central and Eastern Europe; Albania membership to NATO; EU Integration

This report includes findings identified from a 9 month project that involved presentation workshops organized in six different universities in Albania’s largest cities, combined with surveys carried out to collect the perceptions regarding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Accordingly, this study report highlights some of the most prominent reflections on NATO’s current agenda and operations, how participants perceive the roles and functions of NATO and its continuous transformation, the relationship between Albania and NATO in general, as well as reciprocal benefits and costs of the Albania membership to NATO.

Police Integrity and Corruption in Albania

Police Integrity and Corruption in Albania

Author(s): Arjan Dyrmishi,Elona Dhëmbo,Gjergji Vurmo,Besjana Kuci / Language(s): English

Keywords: Police Corruption; Police Integrity; State Police in Albania; Anticorruption Institutional Policies

Police organizations present a unique paradox in modern democracies: they are guarantors of security and protectors of fundamental freedoms; and, at the same time, they are a potent threat to those same liberties. Perhaps no other servants of the state carry so much responsibility and require so much public trust. The police must be able to exercise a wide range of lawful powers - including the use of deadly force - in order to protect citizens and ensure law and order; and, at the same time, they must act in a manner that fully respects the law, civil liberties and basic human rights. The extent to which the police get the balance right is a recognized indicator of true democracy in a society. That indicator of true democracy is often measured by the level of public trust in the police. The publication of this IDM research report is both welcome and timely, as a means of measuring public trust in the Albanian State Police (ASP) and indicating the strength of democracy in this country. A wealth of data has been provided which will assist in understanding public perceptions of the police in greater depth and detail than in any previous period of Albania’s history. This data will provide a much-needed factual basis for debate about integrity within the ranks of the ASP, and inform the process of police reform and restructuring. The IDM information will also provide added impetus to the revised Code of Ethics and the growing desire within the Government to eradicate police corruption through an uncompromising adherence to moral and ethical principles.

Democratic Control and the Relations between Military and Civic Society – An unfinished Issue

Kontrolli demokratik dhe marrëdhëniet civilo-ushtarake - Një çështje e papërfunduar

Author(s): / Language(s): Albanian

Keywords: Civil-Military Relations; NATO; Armed Forces

Context Analysis & Chronology of the Security Sector Reform in Albania 1991-2009

Context Analysis & Chronology of the Security Sector Reform in Albania 1991-2009

Author(s): Arjan Dyrmishi,Besnik Baka,Mariola Qesaraku / Language(s): English

Keywords: Western Balkans; Security Sector Reform; Communist Regime; Albanian Armed Forces; Police Reform; Intelligence Services Reform

This study analyses the context in which the Security Sector Reform (SSR) has taken place in Albania since the fall of the communist regime. It has been conceptualised in three main periods, based on the social, political and economic perspectives that featured each phase during the process of Security Sector Reform. In this perspective, the beginning of the first period coincides with the collapse of communist regime in 1991 and ends with the 1997 crisis. Although Albania was never involved in the armed conflict and border reshuffle that featured the Former Yugoslav countries during the 90s, it largely suffered from backwardness and isolation, a legacy from the Cold War. This period was mostly characterised by the establishment of first generation reforms: the establishment of new institutions, structures, and chains of responsibility for the security sector. Nonetheless the process of first generation reform was not nalised, due to the crisis in 19971 which led to the collapse of the government. This represents the beginning of the second period: from 1997 to 2000. The third and final period efforts, namely the period from 2000 until 2009, seem to be more benefiting and realistic for the country considering the pace of SSR, contributing in the consolidation of the security sector institutions and governance.

20 Years of Security Sector Reforms in Albania. …towards a new generation of reforms. A National Conference

20 Years of Security Sector Reforms in Albania. …towards a new generation of reforms. A National Conference

Author(s): / Language(s): English

Keywords: Security Sector Reforms in Albania; Democratisation; Corruption; Western Balkans; EU Standards; NATO; Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)

In 1992 Albania started a long road towards democratisation and modernisation. Reform of the security sector is an important part of the democratic transformation in Albania. Important standards are achieved in establishing civilian control of the Armed Forces, and in reforming and improving their ability to partici-pate in international peace-making operations and other international military exercises. Other security sec-tor institutions have also achieved higher European standards. However, comprehensive democratic gov-ernance of the security sector and continued modernisation of the legal framework for such sector still remain a challenge. Despite all these achievements Security Sector Reform in Albania is still an unfinished business. In particular, there is a need to improve democratic governance of the security sector in terms of parliamentary and public oversight, openness and transparency. Further reforms are needed in order to improve management, coordination, and division of labour between the different security actors. Another key area for further reforms is the development of an effective accountability system. To fully meet the required NATO and EU standards, a new generation of reforms is needed. These particular fields of re-forms over the years, with a special focus on the current status in Albania’s reform process and the way ahead stand at the centre of this overwhelming initiative.

Albania’s EU accession – Is it risking a 2009 déjà vu?

Albania’s EU accession – Is it risking a 2009 déjà vu?

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Albania’s EU Accession; Western Balkans; EU Accession Reforms

Almost six months since it was granted the European Union (EU) candidate status, Albania’s accession process is off the attention of the public discourse and a remote focus in political debates. The European Commission’s (EC) Progress Report published in October 2014 was barely a highlight in the “rich” front page of domestic issues and internal politics. Betting hopes on the so called Berlin Process, Albanian stakeholders do not seem troubled by the “enlargement fatigue”.

Parliamentary Challenges in the EU Accession Process

Parliamentary Challenges in the EU Accession Process

Author(s): Elton Kacidhja,Malinka Ristevska-Jordanova,Tanja Hafner Ademi,Ilina Nesik,Tatjana Bulajić,Jovana Marović / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU Accession; Parliamentary Committee on European Integration (PCEI); The Legistlative Process; Civil Society

A National Conference entitled “Improving parliamentaryactivity on EU accession” was scheduled by the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) to take place on 21st of December 2012, aiming to engage national decision-makers,Parliamentary and Governmental actors, civic and other stakeholders in a consultative process to discuss and reach consensus over possible legal and institutional alternatives to improve legislative’s role under the EU accession.

‚Latent’ Interest Groups Involvement in Coping with the Challenges of EU Accession: The Case of Albania

‚Latent’ Interest Groups Involvement in Coping with the Challenges of EU Accession: The Case of Albania

Author(s): Dorian Jano,Besjana Kuci,Elira Hroni / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU Accession Process; Latent Interest Groups (LIG)

While powerful private interest groups such as banks and other financial institutions, industrial groups, media etc. dispose all the necessary resources and leverage for their involvement and representation in strategic reforms and EU accession process, a number of ‘ne-glected’ yet extremely important interest groups are facing great challenges with regard to EU accession. In Albania latent interest representation and involvement in policy and reform processes remains weak. Furthermore, there is a literature gap in understanding their specific challenges, capacity-needs and potential to generate added-value to the EU integra-tion process by such latent interest groups (LIG) This research offers a modest contribution to address such gap and to bring sensitivity among key stakeholders on the missing role of non-state interest groups under the EU accession process. The analysis relies on comprehensive literature review and field research with members of various LIG in Albania in order to gather qualitative and quantitative data. Based on gathered evidence the paper suggests a set of concrete recommendations to strengthen the involvement of Albanian latent interest groups in the EU accession process.

2011 CSO Sustainability Index - Albania

2011 CSO Sustainability Index - Albania

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: The Civil Society Organization (CSO); Financial Viability; Civil Society; Infrastructure

CSOs in 2011 found it almost impossible to successfully influence decision makers. Even though CSOs have called on political parties to engage in constructive dialogue, progress has generally only been made following international pressure. In November 2011, after strong pressure from the EU, the United States, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the two major polit-ical parties agreed to resume dialogue on key reforms urged by the European Commission’s Opinion on Albania’s EU Bid.

Conflict of Interest in Albania. Regulatory Framework and Challenges to Implementation

Conflict of Interest in Albania. Regulatory Framework and Challenges to Implementation

Author(s): Arjan Dyrmishi,Marsida Çela / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU Integration Process; HIDAACI High Inspectorate for the Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflict of Interests; Public Administration

During the last decade, Albania has been developing policies to tackle the conflict of interest as a means to fight corruption and strengthen the integrity of its institutions. These measures have been mainly driven by Albania’s efforts to meet the obligations stemming from the EU integration process and the commitments deriving from the membership in international organizations such as the Council of Europe and the United Nations. The legislation has been constantly revised over the course of the last ten years with the aim of addressing implementation deficiencies. Efforts have been made to improve implementation by adopting a number of manuals, guidelines, and other regulatory instruments. In addition, there has been a constant focus on the improvement of administrative capacities of the institutions responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the legislation. Since its establishment nearly ten years ago, the High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflict of Interests (HIDAACI) has grown from a pilot project to a full-fledged institution. This paper argues that the broader political context has not been conducive to the adequate implementation of the adopted laws. The division of powers stipulated by the Constitution of Albania has been constantly challenged by the politics’ power struggle and the tendency of the executive branch to overshadow or minimize the role of other institutions. The public administration has been subject to constant political pressure and is far from being based on merit and fair compensation.

Albanian agenda for regional security

Axhendë shqiptare për sigurinë rajonale

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Regional Security; NATO; EU Integration Process; Cross-Border Security

Albania is progressing steadily because of its membership in NATO. Since the early 1990s, Albanians governmenta have embraced the principles of collective security of NATO and have undertaken institutional reforms necessary to become part of the alliance.

An assessment of the role of the Independent Oversight Bodies in Security Sector Reform in Albania

An assessment of the role of the Independent Oversight Bodies in Security Sector Reform in Albania

Author(s): Arjan Dyrmishi,Besjana Kuci,Egest Gjokutaj / Language(s): English

Keywords: The Independent Oversight Bodies (IOB) in Albania; Fundamental Human Rights; The People’s Advocate (PsA); The Commissioner for Personal Data Protection (CPDP); The State Supreme Audit Institution (SSAI)

This research paper analyses the independent oversight bodies (IOB) in Albania. For the purpose of this study, IOBs are defined as those institutions that are established by the Parliament and are accountable to it. They form an essential part of the democratic governance of the security sector. Along with the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judiciary these institutions contribute in holding the security sector accountable to elected civilian representatives.