Diana Freiova. ALBANIAN IN THE TRANSFORMATION FROM COMMUNISM TO DEMOCRACY – MAIN TENDENCIES IN THE ALBANIAN FOREIGN POLICY ON THE VERGE OF 21^st CENTURY

 

Diana Freiova. Albania in the transformation from communism to democracy – main tendencies in the Albanian foreign policy on the verge of 21^st century. June 4, 2004 – Afternoon of Albanian Culture, Charles University, Prague.

 

 

Introduction:

The current paper considers the modern development of Albania and its place in the up-to-date global world space, i.e. at the beginning of 21st century. With this aim, the main trends and facts in the Albanian history over the last decade will be pointed. The world today is very dynamic and the events, which happen daily, concern all the countries without exceptions, and of course include the countries in the Balkan Peninsula and as well Albania. Among such events could be mentioned the global economic market, the insufficiency of natural resources, the climate changes, the world terrorism acts, etc. Albania, as part of the Balkan and European political space is influenced and affected from the above mentioned events and undoubtedly should give its contribution to their settlement. How? Namely as Albania opens and integrates to the regional and Euro-Atlantic structures. Albania has successfully passed over the uneasy road to open toward the East and the West over the last decade. The opening process of Albania started in 1991. At the end of 1990 is founded the first legal opposition party in Albania since the Second World War, the Democratic Party of Albania, leaded by doctor Sali Berisha. The new party pleads for opened market economy, free elections and the right of private property. At the same time the communist Albanian Labour Party orientates to “full integration with Europe”.

Albania’s political and social transition:

Albania has faced a difficult transition. From most isolated country in Europe it has tried to introduce democracy and to build market economy. Yet, the eagerness to rapid and effective transformation and the implementation of old-learned measures for resolving domestic issues came into conflict. As a result, huge protests spread all over the country and the population in a massive scale tried to emigrate to Italy and Greece. The political life was dominated by the two opposition parties of Democrats and Socialists (former communists), which despite of the formed Coalition Government from June to December 1991, were not disposed to compromises and thus impeded further the economical situation in the country. The democrats came to power after the general elections in 1992, but their five-year government has not led to the desired reforms and economic results.

The Albanian society failed to approve a new Constitution, charted by the Albanian Parliament in a referendum in 1994. The Albanian population proved to be non-unified towards the future of their country and rather prefer to emigrate and provide some kind of surviving for their relatives than to stay jobless at home and to wait for the inefficient political reforms to provide them better living.

The lawlessness and economic collapse came to a climax in January 1997, when the country fell in anarchy after the failure of the so-called "get-rich-quick" pyramid schemes. The pyramid collapse led to a social-economic crisis, which further caused failure of institutional order and serious setback to the reform and democratization process. In March 1997 a national state of emergency is declared. Rioters take control of the town of Saranda, seizing over 650,000 weapons from police headquarters and army barracks. Most of the southern half of the country fell into the hands of ragtag rebels and criminal gangs. Meanwhile more than 10,000 persons fled to Italy. More than 360 people have been killed and 3,500 wounded in three months (from January to March 1997). The tragic events also cause an economy crisis. Unemployment reached over 25 pct, inflation rose, and gross domestic product, which had registered 8-11 pct increase in the previous few years, dropped by 7 pct. The currency was devalued. Fortunately, the international community proved to react adequately and did not lead the political crisis to turn into domestic war. In late March 1997 the UN Security Council approves dispatching a multinational military force to Albania to maintain order and oversee the distribution of international humanitarian aid in the country. An Italian-led international protection force came to the country. Some 7,000 troops from eight European countries participate in "Operation Alba."

The economical situation in the country got worse during the Kosovo crisis in 1999, when Albania hosted over 460,000 refugees, who accounted for about 15 pct of the total Albanian population.

Since 1999 Albania’s economic indicators has shown a progress, mainly as a result of better tendencies in the foreign policy, in the framework of which Albania managed to modernize and liberalize its trade regime and became favorable for foreign investments. Despite the positive economical achievements, the main issues in the domestic policy remain the preserving of the political stability in the country, reinforcing democracy, ensuring free and fair electoral processes, guaranteeing of the human and minority rights and intensifying the fights against fraud, corruption, organized crime and trafficking.

Tendencies in Albania’s Foreign Policy:

As regarding the international relations, Albania states the integration to European and Euro-Atlantic structures as a main priority of its foreign policy at the beginning of 90es of 20^th century. Albania’s primary long-term goals are to gain EU and NATO membership. The country has already set the 2011 (or 2014 at the latest) as a deadline for EU membership and 2007 as a deadline for NATO membership. The process is part of the Euro-Atlantic integration of western Balkan countries, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia and of course Albania.

In an attempt to overcome its isolation during the communist regime, Albania established diplomatic relations with the EU countries in 1991. At that very moment the European Commission expresses its readiness to support the economical and political reforms in the country.

Albania and EU:

In May 1992 the European Union signed with Albania Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Meanwhile Albania is included in the so-called Geneva preferential system, within which the country is granted with privileges in trade of goods, made in EU countries. As a result Albania becomes eligible for funding under the EU Phare programme. In the period from 1991 to 2000 Albania receives 650 mln euro under the programme. The funds are allocated mainly for infrastructure development, production assistance and promoting of the private sector in the country. In total the EU has allocated to Albania about 1.3 bln euro for the period from 1991 to 2004. Further in 1999 the EU proposes new Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) for five countries from south-eastern Europe, including Albania. Since 2000 Albania benefits from duty-free access for its products to the EU market and is also considered (as well as for the rest SAP countries) as a potential candidate for EU membership. On January 31, 2003 the EU officially launches the negotiations for signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Albania. At present (June 2004) Albania is in the concluding phase of its negotiations with the European Commission on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The SAA focuses on respect for democratic principles and strengthening links with the countries from the region within the EU market. The establishment of free trade area with the EU and the rest western Balkan countries is envisaged in the SAAs. At the EU Summit in Thessalonica (Solun) in June 2003 Albania and other western Balkan countries were reconfirmed as potential candidates.

Albania and NATO:

Albania stated its willingness for joining to North-Atlantic Alliance in 1992. Albania sees in its future NATO membership guarantee for democracy, market economy and security in the region.

Albania’s desire for NATO membership means also desire for reforms and guarantee for a better future. After the Prague Summit in November 2002 NATO in its turn confirmed its desire for expansion in Eastern Europe. The future NATO enlargement undoubtedly will further accelerate the process of Albania’s integration in European and pan-European structures due to the strategic geographical position of the country. Albania considers that its membership will represent a natural extension of the Alliance in its Southeast wing and will also give to the Alliance the possibility of full control over the access to the Adriatic and both sides of the Otranto Channel.

U.S.-Albanian Relations:

Albania benefits from friendly and cooperative bilateral relations with the U.S. In general the Albanian population in pro-U.S. disposed. Albanians firmly approved the U.S. bombing of Serbia in 1999, which was aimed at the saving of thousands of Kosovar-Albanian lives. In 2003, Albania and the U.S. signed and ratified a number of agreements, mainly in the field of military relations and defense. In the period from 1991 to 2003, the U.S. allocated about $360 milion to Albania under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act, which was aimed at covering the Albanian humanitarian needs and for promoting the economic and political transformation of the country. Other $28 milion will be allocated to Albania under the SEED Act in 2004. The U.S. strongly supports Albania’s goals for EU and NATO membership. In 2003, Albania signed with the USA, Macedonia and Croatia a Charter of Partnership, known as Adriatic Charter. The Charter constitutes a common vision for a stabilized and integrated Southeastern Europe within the Euro-Atlantic structures.

In its turn Albania completely supported the U.S. global was of terrorism by expelling Islamic extremists from its territory and providing diplomatic support for the U.S.-led military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Further on June 2, 2004 (two days before) the Albanian Government adopted a draft bill on combating financing of terrorism. (The measure allows the judiciary to arrest those suspected of collaborating with terrorists or providing financial aid. The bill is considered a major weapon in the fight against organised crime and terrorism.)

In the road of a full membership to the Euro-Atlantic structures, Albania also aims at becoming a member to most important international organizations in the world.

Albania and OSCE:

Albania became a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1991. OSCE aims at supporting the security improvement, at promoting political transformation with peaceful means, at preventing conflicts and after-crisis recovery. Since 1997 OSCE has a representative office in Albania and the organization further creates a network of its institution throughout the country. OSCE aims at supporting the democratization process in Albania, at guaranteeing the human rights protection and at observing for frauds during election procedures. OSCE supported the organization of the parliament election in Albania in June 1997, observed the establishment of the new Albanian constitution at the same year and promoted the public to take part in its establishment. The new Albanian constitution is ratified by a public referendum on November 22, 1998. Albania further passes new laws of the state police, Constitutional and Supreme Count, law for the right of information, new electoral code, etc. in the period from 1998 to 2001.

Albania and the Council of Europe:

Albania becomes member of the Council of Europe in 1995. The membership of the country in the Council of Europe promotes for improvement of Albania’s administration, educational and juridical system, guaranteeing the human right protection of its citizens.

Albania and the World Trade Organization (WTO):

In January 1999 Albania stated its desire for membership in WTO and officially became its member in September 2000. Albania’s membership in WTO is a guarantee for free trade with goods and services. It also supports the process of economic development and promotes the foreign investments in the country.

Albania and the United Nations (UN):

Albania has been a member of the United Nations since December 14, 1955, along with Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, etc. The current position of Albania in the United Nations is closely related with the fate of Yugoslav province of Kosovo, which is currently under the UN administrative governance. UNMIK aims at peacekeeping the region, as well as preventing from human rights violation of the local population. UNMIK observes for the implementation of the peace resolutions, endeavors to decrease the attempts upon citizens’ life and supports the transition to more liberal and democratic society in Kosovo.

Albania and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC): Albania has become a member of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation (BSEC) since its establishing on June 25, 1992. In the organisation take part 10 other countries of the Black Sea region, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine. BSEC is aimed at promoting the economical and political partnership, the security, the stability and the prosperity of the region. The Black Sea region has a high potential for regional cooperation and development. It is a heartland, considered the astride of two continents Europe and Asia, or the hearth of Eurasia. The Black Sea region covers an area nearly 20 mln sq km and has an unsaturated market of 330 mln people with an annual foreign trade capacity of over $300 bln. After the Gulf, it is the second largest source of oil and natural gas and is also rich in inerals and metals exploited. Albania sees in its BSEC membership as a linking point with Russia, the Adriatic and Mediterranean region and with Western Europe.

Regional policy:

In attempt to overcome its isolation Albania also took a new regional policy within a framework of pluralism, legality, availability of private property and human right protection. The new regional policy is part of the more global process of Euro-Atlantic integration of Albania. The EU further promotes this policy within its Stability Pact.

The Stability Pact launched in 1999 is aimed at supporting the economical and democratic development of the countries of south-eastern Europe. Within the Stability Pact framework are included programmes for regional cooperation and more precisely programmes for increasing the number of check-points, for ensuring a seasonal work, for development of the transport lines between neighbouring countries from the region i.e. the so-called 8^th pan-European Transport Corridor. The Stability Pact is also aimed at promoting the trade exchange in the region through the establishment of free trade zones. In June 2002 Albania, FYR of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina signed in Brussels a memorandum for liberalisation of the trade in the region. By the end of 2002 the memo is followed by Albanian-Croatian, Albanian-Macedonian, Albanian-Bulgarian and Albanian-Kosovo bilateral free trade agreements. Free trade agreements between Albania and Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and also Moldova are currently at various stages of approval. The Albanian Government is currently on negotiating a free trade agreement with the EU, as part of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement negotiations with Albania, which were officially opened in February 2003. In 2004, Stability Pact focus will be on implementation of the FTA, removing non-tariff barriers to trade.

As it was pointed above, the Stability Pact foresees the development of trans-border infrastructure in the region. A 20-year Master Plan for the modernisation of Albanian main port of Durres is drafted. The port is part of the 8^th Pan-European transport corridor, which connects the Adriatic Sea with the inner Black Sea. Such modernisation plan is also worked out for the Albanian second largest port of Vlora. In 2004 the regional polity of the countries within the Stability Pact will be focused on promoting the local democracy and the cross-border co-operation; on supporting the free and democratic media, especially broadcasting, in line with EU standards; on further development of the energy and regional infrastructure and of the liberal business environment; on combating against the organized crime in conformity with the UN convention against transnational organized crime; and on managing the population movements.

Conclusion:

I hope to presented to you clear picture of Albania’s efforts to integrate into EU and NATO, confirming its role as a factor of stability and integration in the region. Yet, before that Albania should prove to attract foreign investments and to promote domestic ones by modernizing its transport and power infrastructure, rationalizing its business laws, improving the transparency in the business and administrative procedures, reforming its bank and tax systems and reducing the corruption in the bureaucracy.

As a conclusion I would like to mention that Albania is part of the Balkan regional and European political and economic space. It is a European and Balkan country, that Albania should respond to the issues, with which should tackle the Balkans, Europe and the world today at the beginning of 21st century.