Albanian Government Research Articles

E-Government in Albania

Douglas Engelbart, the inventor of the computer mouse said digital revolution is more important than the invention of writing ... . This expression in the beginning seemed like an exaggeration pleasant, but today it is a reality in every area of life. The Albanian government has initiated a program Digital as part of govern program for the period 2009-2013- continued. This program essentially it’s not concerns the use of a computer, database or interfaces website, but above all related to their use to promote effective and democratic governance, improving the educational system, information and services that the government provides to its citizens. In Albanian conditions, this initiative is a huge undertaking that requires titanic effort to succeed with the right pace. They have been and are great difficulties after such an effort requires particularly more energy, time and money. It has sought and continues investment major in human resources, the adoption of appropriate legal framework, in planning and establishment of appropriate institutional structures, investment direct technology, etc. Of course Albania continues have shortcomings communication between politics, business, education and producers technology. This is partly due to traditional roles various interest groups, but also due to the fact that Albania did not inherit any tradition, not only technology, but also the potential impact of technology on organizational development and all major industries. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p456

The New Challenges of the Albanian Press and State Education on Early Twentieth Century

After the fall of the communist regime in Albania it has opened a great debate on the so-called re-writing of history, a complex process of deconstruction of the scientific methods of the regime and of the myths that have impregnated the Albanian historiography, that actually impede young Albanians to identify with their own historical and cultural roots, so important in facing the challenges of globalization identity. The purpose of this article is to identify the challenges of the press and of the Albanian Government, in 1912, to achieve the education of the masses. The main objective is to understand whether the Albanian press has stressed the importance of national identity formation and education of the masses, and also the importance of the legislative organization of national education in the early twentieth century. To achieve this purpose has been used desk research method. After the analysis of original documents and articles of the Albanian national archive, we can argue that 1. the Albanian state education story began after the publication in newspapers of three documents: Luigj Gurakuqis’ announcement of September 6, the circular of September 12 and “Article 29” civil administration law of 22 November 1913; 2. The Albanian press actually has propagandize the love for the country and for education, helping the government in achieving its main objective of state education. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p378

The Presentation of the Political Transition in the Early 1990s in Albania in the History Textbooks of Primary and Secondary Education

This paper aims to analyse the political system change in Albania, in the early ’90s, as presented in the history textbooks for primary and secondary school. In regard to the chronological criteria, as the main principle of historicism, the overthrow of the communist regime and the establishment of democracy appear as a symbiosis of the internal situation and the pressure of the international community. The Albanian government due to the economic hardship, the social backwardness and the political tensions was gradually losing its ruling legitimacy on the basis of Marxist-Leninist ideology. The fallacy of the party-state propaganda caused a general dissatisfaction that led to the organization of anti-communist demonstrations, which culminated with the Student Movement of December 1990 and the institutionalisation of political pluralism, with the formation of the first opposition political party, the Democratic Party. The successive democratic transformations up to the creation of Aleksander Meksi’s government, after the elections of 22 March 1992, were as a result of the effect domino, too. The democratic revolutions in the Eastern countries and the influence of the international actors favoured the democratic changes in Albania. The theoretical and empirical analysis of the process of political transition in the history textbooks of elementary and secondary education in Albania, based on the historical discourse analysis, it is important not only for the political turnaround that marks this period of history in the way of building democratic institutions, creating a market economy and the functioning of civil society, but in particular for the challenge of educating young people as worthy citizens of a society that aspires to integrate into the European family. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p511

Assessing Farm’s Performance by Farm Typology in Albania

Assessing Farm’s Performance by Farm Typology in Albania

Understanding Implementation of Basel II and III in Albania: Obstacles and Solutions

Banking Sector in Albania is suffering from high NPL levels, compared with historic levels of NPL in Albania, or with regional nations who have comparable economics. The 2008 crises in USA taught us the impact that the real economy can have from a crisis in Banking Sector. Thus the implementation of Basel III framework and its Capital Requirement ratios becomes crucially important for the stability of the Financial sector and stable growth of the economy. This paper firstly examines the state of Basel II implementation in Albania by the banking sector. The banking sector is primarily invested in government bonds and treasuries and lending to businesses and individuals but the high levels of NPL from both bankrupted businesses and individual poses a credit risks and wider market risks. Albanian Government has committed to speed up implementation of Basel II and Basel III on capital ratios. But questions remain: What’s the status of the implementation? Can the economy absorb the costs of implementing or not implementing Basel III? Secondly we research the additional costs associated with implementation of the banking sector. Because of the expansionary policy of the Bank of Albania the lending rates have fallen but not as fast as expected. Credit growth has been mostly stagnant posing a risk to the growth of the economy. For this study we use time series on Financial Institutions in Albania from the Bank of Albania on capital ratios as well as the policies and requirements set. We find that Basel II criteria have not been met and more can be done to prepare the implementation of Basel III.

Understanding Implementation of Basel II and III in Albania: Obstacles and Solutions

Banking Sector in Albania is suffering from high NPL levels, compared with historic levels of NPL in Albania, or with regional nations who have comparable economics. The 2008 crises in USA taught us the impact that the real economy can have from a crisis in Banking Sector. Thus the implementation of Basel III framework and its Capital Requirement ratios becomes crucially important for the stability of the Financial sector and stable growth of the economy. This paper firstly examines the state of Basel II implementation in Albania by the banking sector. The banking sector is primarily invested in government bonds and treasuries and lending to businesses and individuals but the high levels of NPL from both bankrupted businesses and individual poses a credit risks and wider market risks. Albanian Government has committed to speed up implementation of Basel II and Basel III on capital ratios. But questions remain: What’s the status of the implementation? Can the economy absorb the costs of implementing or not implementing Basel III? Secondly we research the additional costs associated with implementation of the banking sector. Because of the expansionary policy of the Bank of Albania the lending rates have fallen but not as fast as expected. Credit growth has been mostly stagnant posing a risk to the growth of the economy. For this study we use time series on Financial Institutions in Albania from the Bank of Albania on capital ratios as well as the policies and requirements set. We find that Basel II criteria have not been met and more can be done to prepare the implementation of Basel III.

Consumer Protection: An Analysis for Albania’s Positive Steps Towards Greater Protection

It is evident that Albania is taking positive steps towards the highest level of consumer protection. Consumer rights protection was a concept that was initially articulated after the ‘90s, considering that in the previous communist regime we only had the interaction between the seller and the buyer, as everything was controlled by the state. It was impossible to claim legal consumer protection at the time, the way we do now. Nowadays we convincingly assert that the Albanian consumer fully enjoys its rights and fulfils all the obligations set forward by the law. Buying expensively in the market does not mean that you are buying safe. Knowing what and where you are buying means protecting your health and that of the other persons around you. The measures undertaken by the Albanian government to protect the consumers have proved to be positive and have impacted the increase of quality and the achievement of safety on what the Albanian consumer has access to in the market. This paper indicates the measures undertaken by our country for the protection of consumers. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n6p73

A Concise Summary of policies in Relation to Well-Being of Children and Young People in Albania

The aim of this article is to display a reflection of how children’s and youngsters wellbeing is viewed from a legal perspective including international framework and domestic ones. The Albanian government has drafted legal and institutional documents to protect the best interest of children and young people living in Albania. Some of these documents are included and explained in this paper. The Constitution of the Republic of Albania (1998)1 is the highest law of the state and the main tool of governance. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth2 ensures the protection of the constitutional rights for every child. The Social Service in Albania3 is responsible for implementing policies, legislation and economic assistance and payment not only for children and youngsters but also for persons with disabilities and social services across the country. Other documents revised in this paper are Convention on the Rights of the Child4, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights5, the Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women6, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights7, The Family Code (2003)8, Law no. 10347, dated 4.11.2010 On protection of the rights of the child9, the National Strategy for Development and Integration 2007-2013, Children Action Plan 2012 -2015 etc DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n2p205

Effectiveness of Counter-Trafficking Response in Albania

Abstract Human trafficking is a new phenomenon of Albanian post-socialist society which significantly increased during the difficult years of its transformation from centralized state-led economy to market economy. Both economic and political instability contributed to its size, nature and multiple dynamics. Drawing on a rights-based approach to human trafficking, this paper examines the effectiveness of the counter-trafficking response of the Albanian government with a special emphasis on prevention, protection and prosecution. Using secondary data and reviewing various country strategic documents, it highlights a range of weaknesses and challenges which have hindered its effectiveness over years. It concludes that successful and effective counter-trafficking response requires well rounded and coordinated gender sensitive, victim-centred, holistic and human rights-based efforts. Combined with adequate law enforcement, they will sustainably tackle the full spectrum of this problem.

Government Regulation, Technology and Development of SME-s

The aim of the paper is to analyze the factors that determine business growth and the impact on the GDP of the country. The paper analyses Albania, as one of the countries in the South East Europe. Albania is still passing through a transition period at all levels, economic and political. Albania has made serious steps in the development of the state of law, of the financial system and it is working on the achievements of goals, such as: becoming an EU member, stabilization of the fiscal and monetary policies, stability of prices, fighting against corruption, incentives for private investments, reduction of business’s taxes etc. The achievement of these goals will bring more motivation and incentives for growth, an increase in domestic and foreign direct investments. The government of Albania is still working on the future strategies that will bring Albania near to the European countries. The partial achievement of the above goals has created a positive environment, but still there is enough room for change and stabilization. The Albanian governments have improved the business climate, in order to create easier methods in the way of doing business, by attracting more foreign investors and creating a positive climate. Albania has experienced an increase of interest from foreign companies, which have invested in the main fields of economic such as: banking, energy, telecommunication, gas-oil, supermarkets, construction etc. However, some fiscal policies have changed during the last three years, which has caused a tightening of credit, investment, growth and income. Nowadays, Albania is not in a good position compare to neighborhood countries and it is facing recession problems that need immediate solution to overcome the crisis.

Rural Microcredit: Evidences From Albania

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the issues and concerns of Albanian rural credit, which is a powerful tool for enhancing production and productivity and for poverty alleviation. Further it highlights some of the strategies adopted by the Albanian government to increase the rural credit facilities in the rural area of Albania. The various problems faced by the farmers in applying for loans are analysed in detail. Rural credits serve as a tool for providing a sustainable livelihood for people who lives in these areas. Several organisations and Microfinance Institutions,. are playing a major role in providing rural credit facilities to rural Albania. to make the rural credit facilities available to most of the needy. In spite of several efforts put up by various organisations to increase the rural credit facilities, several challenges will prevail in the years to come.These aspects of the financial sector remain undervalued in mainstream literature on rural credit. With Albania being a nation in which more than 40 percent of people live in rural areas and rural credit being a powerful, and the only, tool for rural people in providing a means of livelihood, its importance and potential should be known to each individual.

The Role of Criminal Law as an Anti-corruption Tool in the Public Sector

The Albanian society is making efforts for the consolidation of democratic institutions and the fulfillment of standards as a condition for European integration. In the context of these efforts, the fight against corruption remains a major challenge. The need to address the fight against it is one of the main issues of public interest. Corruption in the field of public administration is one of the most disturbing phenomena of the Albanian society. European Commission Progress Report 2011 for Albania considers public administration reform as one of the key priorities. To this end, the Albanian government has undertaken concrete steps to combat and prevent corruption in the public sector in particular. Concrete steps in the context of the fight against corruption,consists on a very important place which is given to legal reform, especially the amendment of criminal legislation as an important war of the fight against corruption. Although the legal framework has improved significantly, there has been no proper success in changing the reality in relation to the prevention and suppression of corruption. Studies and surveys indicate an improvement of the situation, but the corruption practices in the public sector continue to be embodied as the economic dimension, as well as in social. The purpose of this paper is to present some issues regarding anticorruption legal reform in the field of public administration based on an analysis of international law, provisions of the Criminal Code and special laws aimed at preventing and combating corruption in the public sector. More specifically, the paper will focus on: - Analysis of the Criminal Code amendments that occurred as a result of demand for harmonization of legislation with international conventions in this field, and the importance in combating corruption in the public sector. - Analysis of legislation and other measures in the field of public administration that enable the prevention and suppression of certain behaviors related to acts of corruption in the sector. - Identification of issues related to the practical application of these provisions in view of the fight against this phenomenon. - Identification of relevant suggestions to increase the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures and mechanisms to control and fight against corruption in public administration. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n1p99

ACCESS TO JUSTICE SYSTEM AS AN EFFECTIVE ENJOYMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: CHALLENGES FACED BY ROMA MINORITY IN ALBANIA

Justice is viewed as an ideal of accountability and fairness implying that absence of to for all citizens undermines democratic governance.1 Thus, to is crucial for both, the rule of law and democracy2 because a n equa lly accessible syst em t o a ll can produce tangible results that are individually and socially just.3 As a constitutional right,4 it not only enables people to and substantively protect their rights with r elation to of her citizens in society5 but also ensur es t hat bot h, t he demand and supply sides of the system consistently harmonize their efforts not losing relevance to citizens' interests. From this standpoint, the system can be accessible in all its parts when the outcomes of seekers are just and equitable6 while their accessibility to system will be equally important and trusted through cooperation between services offered.7Traditiona lly, t o t he just ice system has been mor e focused on to per se rather than on the quality of itself. It mainly referred to those institutional arrangements which aimed to assure that people who lack resources to protect their legal rights and solve their law-related problems have to the system.8 From the rights-based approach, to system is important to protect people's rights and promote their social inclusion while barriers to reinforce poverty and social exclusion.9 Thus, to system should be seen from a holistic point of view. Being aware of cultural diversity, it should target new ways of achieving by directing attention to the real problems faced by people who experience legal events and reinforcing to information by supporting cultural change.10 The Roma population in Albania is recognized as ethno-linguistic minority in the Constitution of 1998 which guarantees people who belong to minorities exercise in full equality before the law, human rights and freedoms (Article 20).11 Moreover, since 1999, Albania ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and it is committed to effectively protect them from discrimination providing equal opportunity and possibility to exercise their rights as well as equality before the law and equal protection by law.12But various monitoring reports of international institutions indicate that to system remains problematic and weak especially for socially excluded groups. So, in 2013, United Nations Human Rights Committee observed that legal procedures were long, corruption was spread within the judiciary while free legal aid was ineffective.13 The 5th Monitoring Cycle of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance recommended Albanian authorities to ensure effective to system for victims of discrimination through better funding and functioning of the legal aid system.14 Despite continuous recommendations made, there are limited efforts made by the Albanian government to address these weaknesses. On the other hand, there is a significant lack of research and comprehensive data about to system among vulnerable groups such as Roma population in Albania. Therefore, this research is important to identify problems faced by this socially excluded group to system in order to properly address them and improve its accessibility.To achieve its objective, this paper uses a bottom-up approach and a set of primary and secondary data to assess the accessibility of the system in Albania based on the perceptions of Roma minority. It views access to justice from a rights-based perspective assessing it from right holders in order to have a better understanding of their diverse barriers and difficulties faced to safeguard their rights and achieve justice. Targeting Roma community instead of institutional service providers, its purpose is twofold because this population represents an ethno-linguistic minority who, at one time, is subject to vulnerability, social exclusion and marginalization. …

Advantages of Using Technology to Teach English Language in Multicultural Classrooms. (Albanian Case)

In recent years technology has had a huge impact on all aspects of life. As such the education would not be an exception. Albania like the rest of European countries has tried to keep in touch with the introduction of new technologies in education. The Albanian government has been very ambitious to implement the new technologies in all its public schools and universities across the country. The intended success was not a simple task to be achieved due to several factors. As a result in some public educational institutions there is still a lack of technology. In many others, especially in private institutions lecturers and teachers make full use of technology. This research is focused on the advantages that such technology has brought in teaching English language in multicultural classrooms in Albania. Results from different point of views will be discussed in the study. There was also conducted a survey in some Albanian universities to measure the impact and the role that the new technology has played since its introduction. There were 15 questions in the questionnaire that was conducted in private and public universities. The answers will be evaluated and analyzed accordingly in order to consider the advantages that this process has brought in our country. The study is important as it will try to find out not only the level of success but also the difficulties that must be very carefully dealt and analyzed in order to find the better ways to improve the situation.

Concrete Steps of Albania Towards the Approximation of National Legislation with the Acquis Communautaire: Is it Considered that the Copenhagen Criteria in this Sector is Fulfilled?

Laws are the foundations of a democratic state and their implementation becomes easier to serve to citizens if the state (in our case Albania) achieves the necessary drafting standards. Countries with the EU integration perspective should guarantee the fulfillment of these standards. In 1993, the European Council determined in its conclusions the Copenhagen Criteria. One of them is compliance with the EU acquis. This is a non-negotiable condition for membership, which means that national legislation should be harmonized with the right of the EU as a whole, before Albania joins EU. Being aware of this fact, as well as obligations under the SAA to align EU acquis, the Albanian Government has prepared a National Plan for European Integration as a long-term plan extended for the period from 2014 to 2020. It is a dynamic document that will evolve with passing the stages of the integration process. This article treats the EU primary legislation, secondary legislation, the jurisprudence of the European Justice Court, etc., also principles and methods of approach. The main purpose of this paper is to present the steps taken by Albanian Government in the process of harmonization of domestic legislation with the acquis. It is focused on national strategies, actions, trainings and evaluations of EU bodies. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3s1p293

Cultivation and Trafficking of Narcotics as Organized Crime in Albania: The Methods and Tools Used in Preventing this Crime: Why are these Crimes Still Matters of Great Concern?

Organized crime in Albania, especially in cultivating and trafficking narcotics, is still a matter of concern. Matter of concern is also money laundry derived from narcotics trafficking. Despite the fact that the Albanian Government has undertaken several measures (legislative measures, strategies and action plans), we are still facing with this issue. Based on statistics, it is shown that the tense economic and politic situation in a country contributes to increasing the level of crime. In Albania the organized crime consists in criminal groups and not in mafia organizations as in many other countries. However Albania has been considered country of origin and transit (mainly toward Italy and Greece) of narcotics. But as long as trafficking of narcotics includes more than one country, then this is an issue not only of Albania to deal with. So, the fight should be in an international level in order to be effective. According the Interior Ministry, Albania since 2014 is not in the list of origin country for cultivating and trafficking narcotics. This paper treats and tries to give some conclusions regarding the actual situation in fighting the cultivation and trafficking of narcotics, and conclusions regarding the obstacles and failures in preventing such crimes, such as involvement of police and other officials, the effectiveness of used methods of investigation and finding the authors. There is a Bureau of International Issues on Narcotics created and assisted by US Department of State, implementation of law, increasing the capacities and effectiveness in criminal proceedings and in trainings of competent bodies and state employees. There has been an enforcement of technology and infrastructure capacities. This paper is based on official records from annual reports of international organizations and bodies. The methods used in this paper are statistical, comparative, and legal method. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3s1p379

Why Albania is in a Continuous Struggle to Fulfill European Union Preconditions Toward Membership? (Focus on Lack of Property Rights)

The Albanian communist legacy has left a significant impact in building a democratic state. Twenty five years have passed since the change of regime, but transition phase toward consolidation and democratization still seems to be unreached and unfulfilled. Even we are geographically part of Europe, we struggling from years to achieve successful reforms in economy, politics and in law. There are five major pre conditions that European Union considers as priorities for Albania to fulfill. Property rights are one of them and it will be a focus of this research. Main objectives studied regarding this article are as follow: 1. Political culture. 2. Political parties. 3. Property administrations efficiency. By analyzing the up mentioned objectives, emphasizing negative externalities of communism, political factors during the transitional period I will try to give an explanation on why there is a real challenge for Albania to pass to the consolidation phase toward a real European democratization. Fulfilling the European criteria is a mutual challenge for Albanian government to improve the quality of people life as well as for Europe itself as the leading institution to support and guide young democracies in making them inner part of the Union. Reforms must be of European standards, effective and with positive outputs. In order to achieve successful reforms, there should be a better collaboration between opposition and the government, to be shown a mature and good political will, to work reasonably and responsibly for a better future for its citizens. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3s1p548

The Impact of Albanian Political Immigration to the US on the Establishment of Democracy in Albania

The United States have been a determening factor in favour of Albania’s existence as an independent country. For every researcher this is a very known fact. It was Presidnet Wilson who with his decisive verdict saved the territorial integrity of Albania whilsts there were certain plans with the intention of harming the albanian interest. The Albanian-American relations were at their best at the time of the government of King Zog. A great number of economic bilateral agreements took place in order to strengthen these relations. Diplomatic relations would disrupt with the takeover of Hoxha's communist government. The United States efforts to install in Albania a western democracy resulted unsuccessful. During the war and after, a US mission exercised his activity inside Albanian territory. This mission was led by Jacobs and Fultz. Enver Hoxha's request for recognition of Albania from the US government, received a responce in which the US would recognize Albania only after they analyzed the situation in Albania. Jacobs asked the Albanian government to recognize all political, economic and military agreements signed earlier by the US government and King Zog. This request was rejected by Hoxha, who sought recognition of the Albanian government without any condition. 1946 marked the final departure of the US Mission to Albania and the decay of US-Albanian relations. US were not ready to recognize a state that refused to practice free and democratic elections, a state that violated every human rights and freedoms. Albanians would had to wait half a century for the restoration of the diplomatic relations with the US. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3p259

Case Study: Wind Electricity Cooperation Between Albania and the EU Under Joint Projects and Statistical Transfer

This report aims to identify the savings that EU countries with expensive renewable energy options would incur if a joint wind project was developed in Albania. It further investigates the potential to share the renewable electricity from such a project between Albania and the EU. In its draft National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), the Albanian government outlined several potential wind power projects. Among these we selected one which is located in the north of the country, close to developed transmission grids, and is sufficient in size to attract international investors. The envisaged Lezhe wind power plant would have an installed capacity of 230 MW and estimated investment costs of 275 million EUR.

Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intention among University Students: Case of Albania

<p>In Albania, during the last decades entrepreneurship has been in focus. It is commonly agreed that developing entrepreneurship in the long term would be translated into sustainable economic development. Albanian economy, being an economy in transition greatly and urgently needs to invest into increasing the number of entrepreneurs in the country. Entrepreneurial intention is considered to be really important. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to observe the determinants of entrepreneurial intention in Albania. The target is university students. Many programs that foster entrepreneurship such as incubator centers, business plan competitions along with new educational practices have been developed. In addition, even though studies conducting in this field are few, Albanian education institutions have shown a willing to study the factors influencing entrepreneurship development. The reason is the belief that developing and supporting entrepreneurial activities among youth will positively influence the economy of the country in terms of economic growth.</p><p>This study widely represents the Albanian students and shows the deteminants of entrepreneurial intention they have. Hopefully the findings of this study would be useful to the policy makers and the Albanian government to undertake effective policies focused on entrepreneurial activity; targeting economic development of the country. </p>