Doc. 8061

6 April 1998

State of emergency in Albania

Reply to Recommendation 1328 (1997)

from the Committee of Ministers

adopted on 31 March 1998 at the 625th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies

The Committee of Ministers transmitted Recommendation 1328 (1997) on the state of emergency in Albania to governments at its 592nd meeting at Deputies’ level in May 1997.

The Committee also recalls the interim reply, adopted at the 586th meeting at Deputies’ level (March 1997), to the Assembly’s earlier Recommendation 1316 (1997) on the same subject. There it referred, in particular, to the specific contributions which the Council of Europe can make to the common effort of European Organisations, on the basis of its mandate, achievements and experience, towards the restoration of democratic institutions and the consolidation and further development of law and justice. It referred also to expertise being provided for current efforts to draw up a new constitution, the creation of conditions for the functioning of independent and pluralist media, particularly in the T.V. sector, the efficacity and impartiality of justice and law enforcement, including legislative and administrative means to fight organised crime, corruption and money-laundering.

Subsequently, the following steps have been taken, maintaining close contact and solidarity with the authorities of Albania, a member country:

-       a Priority Action Programme was prepared in September 1997. In this context, the highest priority was given to the setting up of a School of Magistrates which is fully operational, having been inaugurated in October 1997;

-       a high-level mission to Albania by the Chairman of the Deputies and the Chairman of the Rapporteur Group on Democratic Stability took place on 18-20 January 1998. This mission presented proposals to re-direct the programmes of assistance to Albania in order to respond to the new priorities. Additional funding would be required to implement all proposals for activities;

-       a proposal for a third Joint Programme between the European Commission and the Council of Europe was elaborated in contact with the Albanian authorities and the European Commission during the autumn 1997. This proposal is at present under consideration by the European Commission and implementation can be expected to start in the summer of 1998;

-       the Tirana Office opened by the Council of Europe Secretariat has moved into new central premises at Villa Six in October 1997. At present measures are being undertaken with a view to enlarging the staff of the Office in Tirana for purposes of developing daily contacts and co-operation with all Albanian authorities and international institutions in Tirana.

The Committee of Ministers considers the above reply also as a reply to Recommendation 1316 (1997), following the interim reply referred to above.