EU in Albania: Review Law for Strategic Investors

European Union Delegation Ambassador to Tirana Silvio Gonzato says Albania must overcome some major obstacles such as corruption or organised crime before entering the EU.

Albania must overcome several major obstacles before becoming part of the European Union, especially corruption and organised crime. At a meeting in Tirana with European journalists covering EU issues, Ambassador Silvio Gonzato paid particular attention to reform in justice. One of the topics he highlighted was the issue of property rights in the country.

The legal framework of investments in Albania must be linked to EU standards, fair and equal to foreign investors as well. The so-called “Strategic Investment Law” gives preferential status to those considered strategic investors, who then benefit land under very preferential conditions or sometimes at very low prices, below the market price. The whole process leading to selecting strategic investors is somewhat nontransparent, especially in the south of the country” ) Gonzato said.

The strategic investment law is one of the most controversial laws in Albania. Among the investigated cases is that of strategic investor Artan Gaci, the MP's husband and former defence and foreign affairs minister Olta Gacka. Gaci, also former Socialist deputies, was declared strategic investor by the government for the construction of a tourist complex in Himara, worth about 5.5m euros.

Reforms Needed

The European Union is one of the biggest investors of justice reform in Albania. Speaking of the priorities leading to membership, Ambassador Gonzato also stopped at the results of the SPAK, which he described as similar to the “Anti-Mafian” Italian.

The “Reform of 2016 has begun to bear fruit, but at the same time it has created tensions between the parties, as the opposition considers the SPAK to be unilateral and as a tool in the government's hands used to silence the opposition”. This, according to Gonzato, leads to increased polarisation of the political situation in the country.

Speaking of the overall reforms the country is undergoing, Ambassador Gonzato noted the improvements taking place within a very short time, despite non-linear contractors, but with zigzag”. “There are interest groups that have no interest in seeing reforms undertaken within the country's membership framework, which are progressing very quickly. That's why we're here in Tirana, and together with Brussels we keep these zigzags within the limits of”.

“Albania has no plan B”

The EU delegation to Albania is very optimistic when it comes to the remaining route for the country, until the final opening of Union's door. Gonzato said “Albania has no plan B, and the Euro-Atlantic route is the only one Albanians have chosen”.

His statement took place two days after Albania officially separated from Northern Macedonia on the road to the EU. Gonzato declared before reporters that the country has the capacity needed to join Montenegro in the line of membership.

On October 15th, the European Union and Albania will hold the second Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg to discuss the first “group of chapters”. / DW