“Crisis and debts ruined economy”
12/05/2014 00:00
Redundant guards and employed prisoners left without salaries even though the fund was allocated 5 months ago 27/11 21:15
A joint document of 27 EU member countries, which is drafted before the
sixth meeting between Albania and the European Union, has made an
analyze of the economy. The document notes that the global crisis, the
dropped remittances and the big debts of the government to businesses
marked a strong drop of the Albanian economy, which keeps having a
minimal growth of 0.7% since 2013. The document underlines the increased
public debt and budget deficit.
The European Union notes that investments on human capital and infrastructure are inadequate, and there are plenty of challenges for a wider extension of the informal sector, with unclear taxes and for a low tax collection.
The document values the financial support of the International Monetary Fund, the government’s engagement to pay the delayed obligations, the employment strategy for the next six years and the economic-fiscal program for the next two years.
“However, the European Union notes that the budget deficit and the increased public debt shows a short-term drop. The European Union underlines that the continuity of the high deficit remains a source of weakness. Despite a slight improvement in the job market, unemployment remains high”, the document says.
IPA 2013 is a priority for Brussels, which values the engagement of the Albanian authorities to prepare for IPA II. The financial cooperation is also mentioned in a positive note, but the document also talks about the obstacles that are seen in implementing the assistance programs.
“The European Union notes that there has bee a lack of progress in some cases for resolving the basic systematic problems that damage the efficiency and stability of the European Union assistance. These problems include insufficient human sources for managing the activities, a lack of coordination between parties, especially between the local and central governments, and irregularities as regards the planning and implementation of operational and maintenance spending, and also the unclear situation of property rights”, the European Union says, emphasizing that these problems have been defined clearly. That’s why they appeal to Albania to continue for their treatment”, the document says.
The third part of the confidential document speaks about discrepancies between the Albanian legislation with the European practices. The progress is valued in the public procurement areas, statistics, justice, freedom, safety, education and customs. Special efforts are needed for energy, environment, climate changes, social policy, employment and copyrights.
The European Union reminds that Albania has not completed its Stabilization Association Agreement condition for the copyright. The EU encourages Albania to increase their efforts in order to treat the major deficiencies in this sector”, the report continues.
The joint confidential statement reiterates that the bilateral agreement with the United States for not delivering is not according to the
The Albanian delegation will give all concerns to the member countries during an annual meeting that will held behind closed doors at the Council’s building. Only a part of it will be made public in the joint declaration after the session that will have limited representation between both parties.
Top Channel
