Policymaking framework for environmental protection and sustainable development

In April 2009, Albania submitted its application for EU membership and became a potential candidate country for EU accession. It was obvious that in order to reach this goal, important efforts were required in all fields of the national economy, including the environmental field. In recent years it was the prospect of EU accession that determined work on legislation. The progress report on the performance of Balkan countries aspiring to join the EU for the year 2011 found that Albania had made no progress that year on its course to EU adhesion. Based on this report, on 12 October 2011 the European Commission (EC) announced it had refused Albania the status of candidate country. Environmental issues were not among the factors that contributed to this refusal. As Albania will probably not change its intention regarding EU membership, the approximation of Albanian laws to the Acquis Communautaire (acquis), and the transposition and adaptation of directives and limit values will continue to be in focus for the Government in the coming years.

Related Subject(s): Environment and Climate Change

Countries: Albania