The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament voted on Friday the draft resolution on Albania integration process. The resolution stresses that the general elections of 25 April 2021 will be key for the consolidation and renewal of  country’s  democratic procedures  and structures and to achieve a  higher level of political stability; underlines  that  free  and  fair elections are fundamental for EU integration.

Draft Resolution expresses  concern with  the allegations of vote-buying and reminds that its prosecution is among conditions set by the Council on 25 March 2020; stresses the importance of ensuring that preparations for the 2021 parliamentary elections take place in a transparent and inclusive manner; notes that all political forces, state bodies, civil society and the media have a joint duty to ensure a transparent, credible and objective  election campaign, free from   disinformation,  intimidation and false accusations. 

According to the Committee, the fight against money laundering and the punishment for vote buying are the conditions for Albania to open negotiations with the European Union.

Below the Draft Resolution of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on Albania

- EU integration, future of Europe

1.  Welcomes  the  clear  strategic  orientation  and  commitment  of  Albania  to  European integration,  manifesting itself  in good neighbourly relations   and   the   continued implementation of the accession-related reforms; in that regard commends the Council decision of 26 March 2020 on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, (AM 50) emphasizes the importance of the integration process as a catalyst for  reforms  and  welcomes  the  support  which  it  enjoys  among  the  Albanian  people;

Believes that the Conference on the Future of Europe should appropriately include and  actively  engage  representatives  of  Albania  and  other  Western  Balkan  countries (AM 267), both at the governmental and at the civil society , including the youth, level;

Accession Talks

Supports the convening of the first intergovernmental conference without further delay,  following  the  complete fulfilment  of  conditions  set  by  the European Council and the adoption of the negotiating framework by the Council; reminds that Albania is a candidate country since 2014, and that since 2018 the Commission has recommended starting accession talks; 

Recalls the transformative nature of the accession negotiations (AM 66) and notes that in order to ensure the credibility of the accession process, the  fulfilment  of  milestones  must  be  reflected  in  progress  towards  EU  membership; (AM 60) reminds that rival actors seek to undermine further integration and political stability of Western Balkan countries;

Considers the appointment of the Chief Negotiator and the negotiating team, along with the adoption of the action plan to address the conditions and priorities set by Council’s conclusions of March 2020, to be a sign of a clear political commitment to advance the EU integration process;

Overall Reforms

Stresses  that   progress   in   accession   under   the   revised   enlargement methodology   depends   on   lasting,   in-depth   and   irreversible   reforms   across fundamental areas, starting with (AM 64) the rule of law, the effective functioning of  democratic  institutions  and  public  administration  as  well  as  the  economy; (AM 64) recalls in this regard the importance of the judicial reform (AM 62, 63) and increasing the fight against corruption and organized crime (AM 65, 68, 82), along with  good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation. 

Functioning of democratic institutions

Urges political  leaders to  create  a  climate  of confidence  by increasing  transparency  and  overcoming  the  lack  of  dialogue  and expresses  its  serious  concern  about  the  polarised  political  climate  and  lack  of sustainable cross-party cooperation that continue to hamper the democratic process; recalls the importance of constructive political dialogue to advance with the reform process and  further  progress  in  ensuring  the  normal  democratic functioning of the institutions.

Transparency

Calls on public institutions to act transparently and implement good governance practices; stresses the importance of proactive steps in making information publicly and timely and regularly available to civil society, media and the general public, in particular when related to issues of high public interest, such as the ongoing health emergency.

Elections

Stresses that the general elections of 25 April 2021 will be key for the consolidation and renewal of  country’s  democratic  procedures  and  structures  (AM 81)  and  to achieve  a  higher  level  of  political  stability  (AM 78);  underlines  that  free  and  fair elections are fundamental for EU integration.

Expresses  concern  with  the  allegations  of  vote-buying  and  reminds  that  its prosecution is among conditions set by the Council on 25 March 2020 (AM 96); stresses the importance of ensuring that preparations for the 2021 parliamentary elections take place in a transparent and inclusive manner; (AM 94) notes that all political forces, state bodies, civil society and the media have a joint duty to ensure a transparent, credible and objective   election   campaign,   free   from   disinformation,   intimidation   and   false accusations; (AM 95)

Electoral Reform

Underlines the importance of implementing the electoral reform measures codified in  July  2020,  which  are  in  line  with  the  OSCE  Office  for  Democratic  Institutions  and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) and Council of Europe recommendations; welcomes the commitment to implement   stresses the importance of the timely implementation of (AM 86/87) the forthcoming Joint Opinion of the Venice Commission and (AM 90) the OSCE/ODIHR of December 2020; Welcomes the positive outcome of the 5 June 2020 agreement, which implements some of the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations (AM 91), notes the failure to build upon it and the  fact that despite  of repeated  international  appeals to  await for the opinion of the Venice Commission (AM 84/85), further steps have  been  taken without a wide  cross- party consensus, resulting in the adoption of the disputed amendments to the Electoral Code in October 2020 (AM 84/85) by the Albanian Parliament.

Judicial reform

Recalls  the  paramount  importance  of  safeguarding  the  rule  of  law  through implementation of judicial overhaul and a steady and consistent prosecution of high- level   corruption;   (AM 101)   commends   the   progress   made   in   implementing   the comprehensive judicial reform, underpinned by the unprecedented vetting process and the establishment  of  the  relevant  institutions  and  specialized  bodies,  and  calls  for  the acceleration of these procedures in order to achieve (AM 99/100) a tangible shift towards an accountable, and independent and functional judiciary, being a precondition for the first intergovernmental conference (AM 114)

Courts

Stresses  the  need  to  develop  a  more  strategic  approach  towards  justice  sector reform,  which  addresses  the  increasing  backlog  of  cases  (AM 113);  calls  for ensuring high transparency standards in the justice sector and to re-activate tools such   as   previously-operational   online   databases;   (AM   141)   welcomes   the appointment  of  the  new  members  of  the  Constitutional Court,  restoring  its functionality, (AM 103) and urges (AM 102, 106) Albanian institutions to swiftly (AM 102) conclude the appointment process, complete the relevant steps towards re- establishing the Constitutional Court’s ability to function fully and efficiently, and urges all involved to swiftly conclude the appointment process; stresses the need to ensure the continued functioning and adequate staffing of the Court of Appeals (AM 104, 105);

Welcomes the fact that the High Court has partly (AM 107/108) regained its ability to function and that it has been reviewing the admissibility of (AM 109/110) more than a thousand cases, and encourages it to make further progress in the appointment of  additional  judges,  in  order  to  become  fully  functional  (AM 109/110)  and  to dramatically reduce its unsustainable backlog of pending cases; (AM 111, 112)

Corruption

Stresses the need for Albania to fight against corruption at all levels of society, government and administration, (AM 118) is concerned with the existing practice  allowing  the  State  Police  to  receive  private  donations  and  sponsorship (AM 121), notes with concern that corruption allegations continue to undermine the  public's  trust  in  government  and  democratic  institutions  more  generally;

Stresses   the   need   to   ensure   the   effective   functioning,   cooperation (AM 117)   and   financial   and   operational   independence    of   judicial,   law enforcement   (AM 120)   and   anti-corruption   institutions   through   adequate financial,  technical  and  human  resources  (AM  107,  108,  113,  116,  117,  120); underlines the importance of delivering tangible results in the form of independent and  impartial  investigations  leading  to  successful  prosecution  of  high-profile crime, including corruption; (AM 115)

Welcomes the creation of anti-corruption bodies and notes the progress achieved in anti-corruption legislation; (AM 116) acknowledges that in-depth investigations by the newly established Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) are ongoing and that the Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Courts are issuing indictments; stresses (AM 116) the need to maintain their independence and effectiveness  in  order  to  the  effectively  and  proactively  fight  against  (AM 117) impunity and high-level corruption; (AM 115, 117)

Calls for concrete integrity plans to be swiftly adopted and implemented within all ministries, as foreseen in the Inter-Sectorial Strategy against corruption and the Action Plan for its implementation (AM 123); recalls the need to improve transparency and control of political party funding under the amended Law on Political   Party   Financing;   (AM   119)   notes   the   importance   of   effectively implementing   the   recommendations   of   the   Albanian   Supreme   State   Audit Institution; (AM 122)

Organised crime

Notes the increase in proactive investigations, prosecutions and final convictions targeting illicit wealth and money laundering, leading to the systematic freezing and seizure of criminal assets, and calls for further reinforced prosecution and final court convictions of these cases (AM 125), in line with the principles of judicial independence, due process and fair trial; (AM 126); underlines the extensive money laundering problems, notably in the construction and real estate sector.

Trafficking, counter-criminal co-operation

Underlines the importance of the continuing efforts and systemic improvements in tackling human, firearms and counterfeit goods’ trafficking, along with the cyber- crime and terrorist threats; (AM 128)

Calls  for  the  exhaustive  and  rigorous  (AM 130)  efforts  to  dismantle  local  and international criminal networks, and to eliminate drug production and trafficking, to be intensified further, building on the significant efforts of recent years; welcomes the increased cooperation with Europol and the law enforcement institutions of EU Member  States,  that  led  to  a  number of  successful  large-scale  law enforcement operations (AM 131), including through an exemplary cooperation under the Joint Investigation  Team  between  the  Albanian  and  Italian  authorities;  (AM 131) encourages the  Albanian authorities to  swiftly finalise the posting of an Albanian liaison prosecutor to the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust); recommends Albania to adopt a new strategy and action plan on drugs, filling-in, inter alia, the legislative gap on drug precursors; (AM 132)

Fundamental rights

Expresses  its  support  for  inclusive  policies  and  calls  for  progress  to  be  made  in adopting measures to effectively protect the fundamental freedoms and rights of all citizens,  with  a  special  focus  on  women,  children,  persons  with  disabilities (AM 133, 134), ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ persons.

Welcomes  the  update  on  the  anti-discrimination  legislation  and  calls  on  the authorities  to  step  up  efforts  to  establish  solid  anti-discrimination  case-law (AM 137); urges the authorities to ensure the effective prevention and prosecution of hate speech and hate crimes, including antisemitism 

LGBTI

Notes that the National Action Plan for LGBTI Issues 2016-2020 has expired and calls on the government to develop a new action plan in a transparent and inclusive consultation with civil society and ensure appropriate resources are assigned for its  implementation;  (AM  135)  calls  on  Albanian  authorities  to  foster  social acceptance of LGBTI persons who continue to regularly experience discrimination and hate speech; (AM 139); welcomes the decision to eliminate the unacceptable "conversion  therapy",  strengthening  the  right  to  gender  identity  and  gender expression; (AM 140)

Antidiscrimination institutions

Urges  the  authorities  to  ensure  that  sufficient  human,  technical  and  financial (AM 143)   resources  are  provided  to   relevant  bodies,   such  as  (AM 143)  the Ombudsperson Office Ombudsman, the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and the Commissioner  for  the  Right  to  Information  and  Data  Protection,  and  that  their respective  recommendations  are  implemented  systematically;  stresses  that  only individuals whose independence and professionalism  is beyond doubt should be appointed to these offices; (AM 142)

Gender-based and domestic violence

Calls for the creation of an effective  mechanism for the prevention of gender-based violence, including harassment (AM 146), domestic violence and violence against children, (AM 145), exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic (AM 146), and for protection and support to be given to its victims, combined with the effective and efficient prosecution of its perpetrators.

Minority groups

Reminds Albania of its calls to ensure non-discriminatory access to public services and (AM 152) further improvements to be made in the education and health, and the employment rates, living and health (AM 151) conditions of people with disabilities (AM 151)  and,  Roma,  Egyptians  (AM 153,  155)  and  other  ethnic  minorities; welcomes  the  2019  Poznan  Declaration  on  Roma  Integration  within  the  EU Enlargement Process, urges the authorities to advance Roma integration policies in line with the EU Roma strategic framework; (AM 150)

National minorities

Urges   Albania   to   swiftly   adopt   the   remaining   five   by-laws   to   ensure   full implementation of the 2017 framework Law on (AM 155, 156, 157) the Protection of National Minorities and the related rights to free self-identification, the  use  of  minority  (AM 156,  157)  languages  where  necessary  at  local administration level and the right to co-education in minority languages; calls on Albania to protect and promote cultural heritage, languages and traditions  of  its  national  minorities;  (AM 158)  and  to  provide  dedicated  media space in the state and local outlets in minority languages; (AM 203)

Welcomes  in  this  context  the  adoption  of  the  law  on  the  population census;  (AM 159,  160,  161,  162),  to  be  carried  out  in  the  autumn  of  2021 (AM 160); and calls on Albania to take all the necessary steps in order to effectively implement  it,  including  through  the  preparation  of  the  questionnaire  and  the manual (AM 161, 162), covering all recognized minority groups (AM 160Calls on Albania to ensure that minority groups have equal opportunities and adequate representation in political life, public administration and the judiciary; 

Property rights

Encourages Albania  to  make  further  progress on measures consolidating  property registration, restitution and compensation (AM 163) rights, implementing the law on  transitional  procedures  of  ownership,  mainly  by  advancing  in  a  transparent manner the process of registration of properties (AM 164/165), and completing the comprehensive land sector reform;

Tolerance, freedom of belief

Welcomes  Albania’s  efforts  in  promoting  tolerance,  inter-religious  harmony  and addressing prejudice and discrimination, including antisemitism, as affirmed by the parliamentary approval of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism; being the first Muslim-majority country to accept the formulation (AM 166, AM 167),  calls for continued efforts to ensure respect for freedom of expression and freedom of belief or religion 

Freedom of assembly, violence

Calls on the authorities to ensure freedom of assembly as  that a fundamental right (AM 170), respecting the principle of proportionality (AM 170), including during state   of   emergency   or   state   of   natural   disaster   (AM 169),   stresses   the recommendations made by the Ombudsperson in this respect;

Notes the importance of addressing allegations of police misconduct (AM 185) and investigating and prosecuting disproportionate use of force, also in the context of the COVID-19 pandemics; (AM 186) recalls the need to eradicate ill-treatment of suspects and prisoners;

Migration, asylum, trafficking

Recalls  the  authorities’  obligation  to  ensure  due  process  for  asylum  seekers  in compliance  with  Albania’s  international  obligations,  and  to  properly  address  the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, while increasing preparedness for potential increases in migratory flows (AM 172) and enhancing cooperation with the authorities of the Member States (AM 173, 175); calls for increased capacities to process asylum requests and investigations into the reported cases of breaches of the return procedures, including human rights;

Stresses that border protection and the prevention of cross-border crime must be a priority  and  (AM 176,  178)  conducted  in  full  respect  for  fundamental  rights (AM 175), enshrined in applicable international and regional laws and principles (AM 177); welcomes the launch of the first fully fledged joint operation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) outside the European Union (AM 176);

Underlines  that  the  contribution  of  Albania  to  the  protection  of  the  European Union’s external border is of crucial importance and calls on the EU to intensify its support to border protection in the region (AM 179), and to support the needs of the Albanian authorities dealing with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants;

Welcomes the ongoing efforts being made and urges the authorities to take a robust approach in preventing, investigating, prosecuting and punishing human trafficking and the exploitation of its victims, who include children and other vulnerable groups, and to increase reintegration services and ensure witness protection; (AM 180)

Welcomes  the  ongoing  measures  and  calls  for  further  progress  to  be  made  in considerably reducing irregular migration and (AM 183) the number of unfounded asylum  claims  by  Albanian  nationals,  including  the  arrivals  of  unaccompanied minors,  in  the  EU  Member  States;  notes  that  Albania  continues  to  fulfil  visa

Civil society

Underlines the need to improve the climate for the functioning of civil society and urges the authorities to ensure meaningful, timely and representative consultations throughout the decision-making at different governance levels and to enhance the legal and fiscal framework, improving (AM 187) the financial sustainability of the non-governmental sector;

Stresses the importance of participation of civil society organizations and regular consultations on the functioning of society, enabling the participation of citizens in the life of the country; (AM 189)

Stresses the need to improve conditions and an environment for accountability and scrutiny  of  public  institutions,  in  particular  cooperation  with  civil  society  and journalists, as well as their access to justice and legal certainty; (AM 188) is very concerned about the alarming allegations on the widespread use of disinformation against investigative journalists, civil society activists and others seeking to hold powerful interests to account; (AM 191)

Notes with concern the lack of progress on freedom of expression and the obstacles to the proper functioning of the independent media;

Media freedom

Recalls the importance of ensuring quality journalism and increasing the levels of (AM 190)   media   literacy   for   the   functioning   of   democracy  and   in   tackling disinformation,  hate  speech  and  fake-news;  (AM 190)  calls  on  the  EEAS  and Commission  to  improve  coordination  and  address  disinformation  and  hybrid threats  that  seek  to  undermine  the  European  perspective  by  more  strategically underscoring the EU’s relevance to citizens in the region (AM 192) and urges them to  foster  the  creation  of  a  Balkan-focused  Centre  of  Excellence  to  counter disinformation (AM 192);

33 a. Calls for initiatives to foster a media environment free from external influences and conducive to a professional media conduct, including investigative journalism; (AM 194);

33b.  Underlines    the    need    to    strengthen    self-regulation,    ethical    standards, independence, impartiality, financial sustainability and reporting quality of public and private media outlets and to enhance transparency of the media ownership (AM 200), funding and public advertising (AM 193);  calls for measures ensuring transparency of media ownership of broadcasting companies; (AM 200); notes the need to improve labour and social conditions of the media professionals in order to ensure quality journalism; (AM 193)

34.    Condemns  the  violence,  intimidation,  smear  campaigns  (AM 191)  and  indirect political  and  financial  pressure  directed  against  journalists,  which  seriously  stifle media  freedom,  induce  self-censorship  and  gravely  undermine  efforts  to  uncover crime  and  corruption;  calls  on  the  authorities  to  open  an  investigation  into  the recent string of violence and unjustified detentions of journalists and immediately respond to allegations of reporters being assaulted by police, including while in custody; (AM 195)

Paragraph 35                        media law/defamation

35.    Welcomes   the   commitment   of   authorities   to   withdraw   the   proposed   draft amendments to  the  Media  Law,  and  encourages  the  full  implementation  of  the Venice Commission’s recommendations of 19 June 2020 on all future proposals (AM 199,  201);  Expresses  reiterates  its  concerns  about  the  initially  proposed measures under the so-called ‘anti-defamation package’ (AM 197)  and notes that any revision of the media and communication laws and the Criminal Code should take place in a transparent and inclusive manner, making sure that the voices and opinions of the civil society, media and journalists are heard, (AM 198, 202) with the aim  of improving media freedom  and the work environment of independent journalists (AM 198, 202),

Paragraph 36                         Socio-economic situation, COVID-19,

36.    Encourages the Albanian Government to prioritise measures aimed at mitigating the health  and  (AM 204)  socio-economic  impact  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  with particular consideration for marginalised and vulnerable groups such as Roma, Egyptians,  the  LGBTQI+  community,  (AM 205)  people  with  dissabilities  and single    parents,    while    taking    further    steps    to    improve    diversification, competitiveness, and digitalisation, (AM 206) enhance the representativeness of the social dialogue and to tackle the widespread informal economy;

Recalls  that  sustainable  growth  depends  on  eradication  of  endemic corruption, improved transparency, legal certainty and efficiency, fair competition and   reduction   of   bureaucracy   simplification   of   administrative   procedures; (AM 217)

Social exclusion

Encourages  the  Albanian  authorities  to  strengthen  social  care  coverage  and improve access to social and healthcare services  especially for vulnerable groups (AM 207/  208),  in  order  to  reduce  the  risk  of  poverty  and  social  exclusion;

Labour market and education

Calls for the to step up concrete (AM 214) measures addressing the demographic decline and the brain drain through active labour market policies that address tackle skills  mismatches  and  reduce  long-term  unemployment,  particularly  among  the youth  and  the  most  marginalised  groups  (AM 213);  stresses  the  importance  of creating sustainable long-term job opportunities for young people (AM 211, 214), promoting   accessible   (AM 212),   quality   and   inclusive   educational   reforms (AM 210)  and  addressing  problems  relating  to  housing  (AM 212);  calls  on  the Albanian government to improve availability and affordability of internet access, including for schooling (AM 215);

Economic and investment plan

Stresses the need to improve the visibility and communication concerning EU aid and  Union  financing  in  Albania;  in  this  regard,  reminds  of  the  performance reward under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance to North Macedonia and  Albania  and  notably  the  substantial  support  the  EU  has  provided  to  the Western Balkans to fight the COVID-19 pandemic; 

Welcomes the  Commission’s efforts to  invest  more  strategically  in  the  Western Balkans  through  a  dedicated  Economic  and  Investment  Plan  (EIP)  (AM 219); stresses  that  any  investment  must  be  in  line  with  the  objectives  of  the  Paris Agreement Agreement and the EU’s decarbonisation target (AM 219); recognises the importance of the EIP in supporting sustainable connectivity, human capital, competitiveness and inclusive growth  as well  in reinforcing  regional  and cross- border   cooperation   (AM 221);  calls   for   adequate   co-financing   and   further improvements in transparency and visibility of the EU funding; (AM 218) in the context of Albania, stresses the need to focus funding on  the ongoing democratic transition (AM 119), fight against the demographic decline and the brain drain (AM 220);

Energy and transport

Encourages  the  diversification  of  energy  production,  ensuring  economically  and environmentally sound investments in (AM 226) hydropower operations, (AM 229) and increasing cost-efficient (AM 225, 227, 228) investments, enabling transition towards  wind  and  solar  sources;  urges  the  authorities  to  minimise  the  impact  on biodiversity by restricting curbing (AM 224) hydropower development in protected areas (AM 230), in particular the Valbona and Vjosa rivers (AM 227, 228), and to establish as soon as possible the Vjosa National Park covering the whole length of the river, in line with the announcement of the Albanian government (AM 224); underlines the need to improve both environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments (AM 227, 228, 230) and transparency of procedures (AM 222) across eco-sensitive sectors and boost the prosecution of environmental crimes; stresses the importance of improving Albania's strategy on nuclear safety and radiation protection, recalls Albania is yet to fully align with the 2013 Council (Euratom) Directive setting out basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation (AM 231);;

Urges the authorities to ensure full compliance with the Energy Community Treaty, including  through  making  its  power  exchange  operational,  continued  market opening,  functional  unbundling  of  distribution  system  operators  and  market coupling  in  electricity;  (AM 232,  233);  underlines  the  contribution  of  the  newly launched trans-Adriatic pipeline, and upcoming connection of the converted Vlora thermal plant, (AM 234) to regional energy security; recalls the need to complete the   electricity   market   reform   and   put   in   place   Bitola-Elbasan   electricity interconnector with North Macedonia; 

Calls  for  continuing  progress  in strengthening  strategic  transport  networks in  line with the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) regulatory framework, and to advance  work  on  the  Albanian  sections  of  the  “Blue  Highway“;  (AM 241), complete the railway sector reforms and advance the Tirana-Podgorica-Durrës rail

Environment and climate

Expresses   deep   concern   about   certain   economic   projects   that   have   led   to environmental damage in protected areas; (AM 222) underlines that planning and construction of eco-sensitive tourist and energy infrastructure (AM 222) projects must be conducted under a broad country-wide stakeholder consultation with the civil society and local communities prior to decision-making (AM 222) and must comply   with   international   and   EU   norms   on   impact   assessments   and environmental protection; (AM 223)

Urges the authorities to develop a national energy strategy which guarantees full alignment  and  implementation  of  the  Paris  Agreement,  (AM 235)  relevant  EU (AM 236) climate policies (AM 236), decarbonisation targets and carbon pricing instruments, in line with the European Green Deal and the political commitments made  in  the  2020  Sofia  Declaration;  (AM 235,  236,  239,  240);  invites  the authorities to adopt without delay the draft Climate Law and the law and decision on  a  mechanism  for  monitoring  and  reporting  of  greenhouse  gas  emissions; (AM 237,  238),  requests  the  accelerated  finalization  of  the  draft  integrated National   Energy   and   Climate   Plan   for   review   by   the   Energy   Community Secretariat; (AM 237, 238)

Waste management

Recalls the need to prioritise the implementation of the new 2020-2035 national waste management strategy (AM 246, 248), setting up of an integrated regional waste  management  system,  to  promote  recycling,  close  hazardous  dumpsites (AM 245, 248), align with the EU standards, especially as regards incineration, (AM 246), prevent deforestation, and marine plastic waste (AM 247, 249); warns of the pollution of the Adriatic Sea and the frequent dumping of garbage carried by sea currents, (AM 249) underlines the need to step-up water quality monitoring and wastewater treatment capacities and strengthen the capacities of the agencies on environment and protected areas;

Regional cooperation and foreign policy

Welcomes  Albania’s  unremitting  continuing  (AM 250,  251,  252,  253)  efforts  in promoting  good  neighbourly  relations  and  regional  integration;  underlines  the importance of taking further steps to promote reconciliation with neighbours and regional  cooperation  (AM 256),  which  should  be  underpinned  by  respect  for fundamental European values and a common future in the EU; (AM 257)

Calls  for  the  creation  of  new  opportunities  for  high  level  political  and  policy dialogue  with  the  Western  Balkans  countries,  through  regular  EU-Western Balkans summits and intensified ministerial contacts, in order to strengthen the the credible commitment to the political objective of the enlargement process and ensure high-level engagement; (AM 264)

Welcomes  the  constructive  steps  towards  the  resolution  of  outstanding  bilateral issues, including a joint undertaking by Greece and Albania to refer the delimitation of the (AM 254, 255) maritime zones to the International Court of (AM 254, 255) Justice;

Welcomes Albania ’s participation in the mini-Schengen initiative as a means to improve neighbourly relations and provide new opportunities for Albanian citizens and business; (AM 260)

Calls  upon  all  political  leaders  to  take urgent  steps  to  set  up  the  Regional Commission tasked with establishing the facts about all victims of war crimes and other  serious  human  rights  violations committed  on  the  territory  of  the  former Yugoslavia  (RECOM),  building  upon  the significant  work  carried  out  by  the Coalition  for  RECOM;  (AM 258)  urges  political  leaders  to    promote  regional reconciliation and refrain from instrumentalising these topics in internal political struggles; (AM 259)

Welcomes Albania’s ongoing full alignment with the common foreign and security policy decisions and declarations since 2012 and commends its active contribution/ participation in (AM 262)to the EU crisis management missions and operations, as well as its active contribution to NATO missions of strategic importance to the EU; urges Albania to comply with the EU position on the jurisdiction of the

International Criminal Court; (AM 263)

Underlines the need for the EU and the United States to strengthen their partnership  and  coordination  in  the  Western  Balkans  in  order  to  advance  key reforms, improve governance and reconciliation  (AM 266);   calls on the EEAS and Commission to enhance support to Albania in countering malicious foreign interference  from  countries  such  as  Russia,  China,  Iran  and  others;  having  in mind the above-mentioned alignment and Albania’s EU accession process, Tirana should develop ever-closer cooperation with the EU and NATO member states on security and defence issues.