2 2018 Assessment Report ACKNOWLEDGMENTS - The 2nd Report highlights the importance of the role of the local government in the integration process of Albania into the European Union, related to the compliance with the accession commitments and 2018 criteria. - The Report is prepared by the “Municipalites for Europe” Project team and the expert, Mrs. Albana Dhimitri who prepared the chapter with recommendations. - The European Integration Units in each municipality coordinated the internal management of data collection, while the Agency for the Support of Self-Government coordinated the collection of data from 61 municipalities. DISCLAIMER This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and don’t necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. 2018 Assessment Report 3 Table of Contents Table of Contents Foreward ................................................................................................................................6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..........................................................................................................7 1.INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................19 2.POLITICAL CRITERIA ...........................................................................................................21 2.1.Democracy ................................................................................................................21 2.1.1.Governance ........................................................................................................21 2.1.2.The Ombudsman ................................................................................................38 2.1.3.Civil Society ........................................................................................................40 2.2.Rule of Law ...............................................................................................................45 2.2.1.Fight against corruption ......................................................................................45 2.3.Human Rights and Protection of the Minorities ...........................................................53 3.ECONOMIC CRITERIA .........................................................................................................59 3.1.Existence of a functional market economy .................................................................59 4.ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS ...............................................................63 4.1.Chapter 11: Agriculture and Rural Development .........................................................63 4.2.Chapter 12: Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policies ..................................70 4.3.Chapter 14: Transport Policy ......................................................................................72 4.4.Chapter 15: Energy ....................................................................................................79 4.5.Chapter 16: Taxes ......................................................................................................82 4.6.Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment .................................................................85 4.7.Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights ............................................................95 4.8.Chapter 22: Regional Policies ................................................................................... 111 ChapterChapter 24: Justice, freedom and security 23: Justice, freedom and security 4.9.Chapter 24: Justice, freedom and security ................................................................113 4.10.Chapter 26: Education and Culture .....................................................................115 4.11.Chapter 27: Environment and climate change .....................................................122 4.12.Chapter 32: Financial Control .............................................................................136 5.RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................139 4 ABBREVIATIONS ABBREVIATIONS ADISA Agency for the Delivery of Integrated Services in Albania AAM Association of Albanian Municipalities ALA Association of Local Autonomy AP Action Plan AR Annual Report ASPA Albanian School of Public Administration ASLG Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government AU Administrative Unit EU European Union ISSAC Inter-sectoral Strategy against Corruption 2015-2020 DoPA Department of Public Administration CC Community Council CoM Council of Ministers CPARS Crosscutting Public Administration Reform Strategy 2015-2020 SIPD Social Inclusion Political Document 2016-2020 HIDAACI High Inspectorate of Declaration and Control of Assets and Conflict of Interest CSO Civil Society Organizations PWD Person with Disability PFM Public Finance Management GLP General Local Plan LGU Local Government Unit LPIRE Local Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptian minorities MoI Ministry of Interior MoIE Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy MoTE Ministry of Tourism and Environment MTBP Medium Term Budget Program NAPPWD National Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities NCCSDLG National Crosscutting Strategy for Decentralization and Local Governance 2015-2020 NSESD National Strategy for Employment and Skills Development 2016-2020 IOSSH Integrated One-Stop-Shop QAS Quality Assurance System RDA Rural Development Agency REO Regional Employment Office SAA Stabilization and Association Agreement SWM Solid Waste Management TAR Territorial Administrative Reform PUEDS Pre-University Education Development Strategy 2014-2020 WG Working Group 2018 Assessment Report 5 Foreword Foreword Message from Minister of Interior, Mr. Sandër LLESHAJ his is a very important moment in ing the standards, as required by the Albania’s history, as the European Stabilization and Association Agreement. TCommission, for the second con- secutive year, has recommended to EU The findings of the report show that for member states to open negotiations with the most part, local government bodies Albania. Although this journey seems to are adapting very well to the overall be full of challenges, it should impose “machinery” of the integration process. a deeper reflection on us, and above The establishment and functioning of the all, a higher commitment to fulfill the European Integration Units in each mu- obligations arising from this process. nicipality, the dedicated efforts in imple- menting the standards set by the European Not only the central government, but integration agenda, a closer cooperation also the local government units, have between central structures and the newly much to contribute to the country’s path created units, as well as their consolida- towards the EU. Together we have tion in providing relevant information and the responsibility and obligation to services to their respective communities, build a combined effort, to make the are major challenges to be met, but at dream of Albanian citizens come true. the same time they provide guarantees for an even greater success in the future. As the EU Enlargement Policy Com- munication 2019 clearly states, the This evaluation report, supported by right balance between central and European Union assistance, will now be local government, which enables the an annual exercise, under the coordina- implementation of reforms, is the only tion of the Ministry of the Interior and its guarantee of Albania’s successful in- structures, with the aim of building sus- tegration into the European Union tainable capacities in the public admin- structures. Therefore, without an ac- istration, thereby ensuring the capability tive engagement of local govern- of the relevant Government structures, to ment structures in the implementation successfully lead and coordinate Europe- of these policies, the EU legislation, an integration processes at a local level. as well as the overall European Inte- gration agenda, little can be done to I am sure that with hard work, a fuller further the progress of integration. commitment, as well as more determina- tion, we will all succeed in fulfilling the as- The “Municipalities in the EU Integration piration of the vast majority of Albanians. Process of Albania” Assessment Report, is a good representation of the progress made so far by the local government, as Sandër LLESHAJ well as the challenges they face in meet- Minister of Interior 6 2018 Assessment Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY he role of local government in the Strengthening of public administration, implementation of policies, imple- establishing the dialogue with citizens Tmentation of Acquis Communitaire through open and participative poli- and overall European integration agen- cy-making processes, and enhancing da is very important. The European Com- government’s capacity to choose the most mission highlights again this role in the appropriate policies among various op- 2019 Communication on EU Enlargement tions are all substantial in terms of con- Policy “The role of regional and local au- necting governments with their citizens thorities in the EU alignment process and and foster more inclusive and sustainable eventual application of EU rules needs to growth. be taken into account. An appropriate bal- ance between central, regional and local This is the second annual edition of report government needs to be found that best Municipalities