Truthmeter – 365 days of governance - MJAFT

Truthmeter – 365 days of
Governance
Report on the performance of the government for
365 days of governance
January 17, 2015

Introduction
The general elections of June 23, 2013 provided to the public some innovations regarding the
political vocabulary, used by the political parties’ representatives, such as the term “the first
one hundred days” and “the first three hundred days”, through which they promised radical
changes. During the presentation in the Albanian Parliament, regarding the four years
governmental programs of the first mandate, Prime Minister Rama articulated a number of
promises and reforms that the government will undertake during this mandate. Some of the
main promises are the following: the promise for the creation of 300 thousand new jobs, free
health service, supply of the citizens with potable water, free legalisation of dwellings, etc.
During July, 2014, the government published a document of 40 pages, which included the
work during the first 300 days of the governance.i
Aims
This report, prepared by the ‘Mjaft’ Movement, aims to compare the initial promises of the
government, covering the period of the first year of governance with the real work performed
during 2014 and with the document of the government.
Limitations
The report does not consider the whole performance of the government, but only that part
relevant to the pre-election promises due to be achieved during the first year of mandate,
identified by the working group. Its promises are considered as such once they become public
through a written form or through different clips.
Data
The declarations of the government promises are published in different web pages, including
www.PS.al, Facebook webpage of the leaders of the Socialist Party and the media.
The performance of the government will be considered by the decisions published in the official
webpage www.kryeministria.al or in Official Journal www.qbz.gov.al
Conventions
A promise is a commitment to a deadline, within the first year, with the exception of certain promises
already related to the state budget, expected to be achieved “within the first year”, but achievements
thereof depend on whether or not they are included in the state budget of 2014-2015.
The first year of the governance means the period from December 2013 to the end of 2014. This is not
exactly a 300 days period, but this division is conducted to include the State Budget and Fiscal Package as
well, in order to analyse the promises on the frame of budgetary planning.

Executive Summary
Based on the public declarations of the Socialist Party and the commitments undertaken in
the Albanian Parliament, through legal initiatives, are identified 25 promises closely related to
the performance of the government during the first 365 days. Out of them, 6 promises result
fulfilled in com-pliance with the promises, 7 promises are assessed as partially fulfilled, 2
others are considered as immeasurable and 9 are considered as not fulfilled.
Part of the report are some promises that logically could have been included in a single
promise, due to the fact that they belong to the same field and purpose, but the team of
truthmeter has decided to analyse them separately, because the promises have been
mentioned in different electoral speeches.
Part of this report are not the promises analysed during the last 3 months of 2013, because we
did not want to create confusion between the timelines of the promises, and because we want
to be coherent with the periods of the promises that have been declared during the election
period by the Socialist Party, periods that coincide with the first 100 days and the first year of
the governance January 2014-December 2014. Despite this time element we would like to
mention some of the unfulfilled promises that coincide with the last 3 months of 2013, which
have been subject to ongoing monitoring and verification by the truthmeter team, in order to
identify the level of their fulfilment.
On this frame, it is worth mentioning the promise on “Putting the Institute of Statistics
under the control of the Parliament”. Referring to the facts, it results that INSTAT continues
to be under the subordination of the Prime Ministers’ Office, by not fulfilling this promise yet.
For similar institutions that remain public capitals in order to provide services, protection and
proper information to the public, a good political will is not enough in order to be objective
and independent, but first is required institutional independence by the executive bodies and
subsequently integrity and good will by the leaders.
Another unfulfilled promise, on the frame of 100 first days of the governance, it is the one on
“Reestablishment of legal benefits for disabled persons”. Even for this promise, still no legal
initiative or any change of the actual legal frame has been taken to re-establish the legal
benefits for this category of people. Another unfulfilled promise, is the one on “Review of the
Concession for the Harbour of Durrës”. There are too many arguments and facts held by
independent institutions of control, KLSH, regarding the incorrect process, performed in this
concession. In the report of High State Control (KLSH), on this issue it results that the
procedures of granting the Harbour by concession, as well as implementation of procedures
with the private sector, are performed in violation of the law. In this context, the High State
Control has filed a lawsuit against the former general director of the portual authority in
Durrës, and also against 4 former directors of this authority and 4 workers of the Ministry of
Transport and Infrastructure, for abuse on duty and infringement of equality on tenders,
causing a damage of 16.9 million euro to the state economy and budget. Even though an audit
process was conducted by KLSH, the concession of the Durrës portual authority still continues
to be on the same contractual conditions and on the same concessionary firm in possession of
this concession.

i
List of promises for the 365 days, according to the topics:
1. Decrease by 6% of the electricity bill for family consumers;
2. Territorial reform;
3. Return of TVSH and ATSH to the public;
4. Problem of immigrants, children born in Greece;
5. Establishment of the National Coast Agency;
6. Pension Reform;
7. Support for pension for the policemen killed on duty;
8. Normalisation of the energy system is a priority of crucial importance;
9. Elimination of monopolies;
10. Radical improvements in the Health System;
11. Employment based on merit and competitiveness;
12. Attacking corrupted workers in Public Institutions;
13. Formalisation of Economy;
14. Package on Justice Reform;
15. Taking national assets under control;
16. Starting the legalisation process of illegal constructions;
17. Reduction of the pension age for people working on rough/difficult jobs, miners, etc.;
18. A system for the future, whereby everyone will benefit free health service while the
hospital boards themselves shall decide on equipments;
19. Within the first 9 months, all the public works debts will be paid;
20. No new debts;
21. Reimbursement of VAT is your request, and our reflection is that only the unreimbursed
VAT, unliquidated fines and public obligations, lead the flat tax to 22% of the tax incomes
and we shall reconceptualise the whole chain of VAT and there will be no more delays of
the administration to business which shall be liquidated on time;
22. Products “Made in Albania”. We want conditions and standards to be European ones.
Together we shall immediately identify the fiscal barriers already delaying exports and we
shall eliminate all the taxes on import;
23. “Fight against organised crime and trafficking of narcotic substances”;
24. Education Reform;

25. We will create 300 thousand new jobs.
1. Decrease by 6% of the electricity bill for family consumers
Promise: During the electoral campaign in the elections of June, 23rd
, representatives of Socialist
Party promised to decrease the electricity bill by 6%, for the family consumers.
General description: On each verge of the general elections, one of the main promises of every
political force has been the electricity, focused mainly on the regular supply with energy,
investments for service improvement, as well as decrease of the tax for family consumers. Despite
the main focus of the politics and successive governments, the electro-energy system in Albania
has never been efficient and self-sufficient. The abuses with the purchase of energy, the lack on
investments, consumer abuses (energy stealing) and failure to pay the consumed energy, make up
the main reasons of the almost collapsed energy system in Albania.
Fact: Following several months of discussions and debates with the stakeholders, the Albanian
government through the OSHEE, requested to the Electrical Energy Regulatory Entity an increase
of the energy price with 12 ALL per kWh and removing the division of 300 kWh. ERE fully approved
one of the requests, that of removing the division of 300 kWh and approved a fixed tariff for
family consumers of 9.5 ALL per kWh, compared to the current system of two tariffs, bringing in a
net increase of 500 up to 650 ALL for the poor consumer, as well as a price decrease about families
consuming over 600 kWh per month.
For the family consumers consuming over 800 kWh that correspond with families of the high
middle and richer classes, the charge to be paid to OSHEE will be lower.
Pursuant to the approved changes on December, 26 2014 made by the Energy Regulatory Entity,
families with an average consumption of 300 kWh shall face an increase of their monthly bill of
650 ALL. This amount shall be compensated by the government through a state-funded budget,
approved in December, which amounts to 16 million dollars.
Based on assessment of the above facts, it appears as if the change of the energy price shall not
have an adverse impact on society, and this fact is relatively real. We believe relatively due to the
fact that there are too many other poor families not included in the reimbursement scheme of the
government, because they have 1 person in the family, employed with a minimal salary, in a family
of at least 4 members. These families are automatically excluded from the reimbursement
scheme, which leaves them unprotected by the change of the energy price, thus increasing the
consumption cost with 650 ALL.
Price for businesses:
By decision of ERE of December, 26 2014, it was decided that the energy price for the consumers
supplied with 35 kilovolt shall be 9.5 ALL per kWh, while for consumers supplied with 20/10/6

kilovolt the price shall be 11 ALL per kWh. For bakeries and flour production, supplied with 20/10
and 6 kilovolt, the price shall be 7.1 ALL. For more information, refer to the following table.
Conclusion:
Even though the financial impact on an Albanian family budget may be considered as minimal,
referring to the above mentioned facts, the promise of the Socialist Party during the electoral
campaign in 2013 is controversy with ERE decision for the change of energy price for families.
Hence, this promise is considered as untrue/unfulfilled.
2. Territorial Reform
Promise: One of the main electoral promises for the general elections of June, 23, articulated by
the Prime Minister Edi Rama and officials of the Socialist Party, was the compilation and
implementation of the Territorial Administrative Reform.
General description of the promise and the arguments of the Socialist Party: Socialist Party and
its head Edi Rama, promised during the electoral campaign that the country needs a radical and
integral reformation of the current system of administrative division. The process of discussing the
new territorial division started with the “Territorial Administrative Reform” Conference, organised
on October 2013 by the Ministry of State for Local Government as well as the Presence of OSCE in
Tirana. The main argument, presented by Edi Rama for this initiative, is related with the
simplification of territorial division, strengthening of economic, social and cultural space of local
units, regarding comprehensive strengthening of the country. The Prime Minister mentioned also
that with through the new reform nearly 25 million USD expenditures of local administration,
financial incomes that are saved by the tax payers’ budget shall be saved. Another supportive
element of the government in this reform, has been the study published in 2012 of the Swedish
International Development and Cooperation Agency, whose conclusions suggested a new
territorial and administrative division with no less than 100 local units and 6 regions, a result
drawn after an assessment of the features and division of local power at that period.
Data on the local government under the old territorial division:

 384 local units throughout the country;
 65 municipalities of the first and second category;
 309 communes with a population of 500-10 thousand people;
 Communes, 2.5 milliard new ALL per year for the salaries;
 200 communes spend over 40% of the budget for the administration salaries;
 100 communes spend over 80% of the budget for the administration salaries;
 70% of workers in 80 communes lack higher education;
 50% of communes do not make any investment in the community;
 50% of communes levy 0-2% of the budget, from the local taxes.
Fact: On January, 23 2014, the Parliament approved the request of the Ministry of State for Local
Government for the establishment of the special commission on “TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATIVE
REFORM IN THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA”, with a deadline of 3 months. Based on the decision,
approved by the Parliament of Albania, the commission was chaired by two Co chairmen, from
majority and opposition, while it consists of 16 members, 8 of them as representatives of the
majority (6 SP and 2 SMI) and 8 as representatives of the opposition (6 DP, 1 RP and 1 PJIU).
The representatives of the opposition did not accept and failed to become part of the discussion
process for the territorial reform claiming that there is lack of trust and there is no will on the
majority side for a real consensus. Meanwhile, the actual attitude of the opposition was related to
the inacceptance of the option proposed by its representatives, a proposal that was not taken into
consideration by the majority.
Following 7 months of intensive work of this commission and public hearings, organised by this
commission and the Ministry of State for Local Government, on July, 17, the members of the
majority, together with the members of PJIU, decided to approve the option with 61 local units,
out of 5 options proposed by the Ministry of State for Local Government.
Despite the political opposition of the opposition and theirs arguments on the lack of trust and will
of the majority to consider the opposition viewpoints, the commission for the Territorial
Administrative Reform, approved the option with 61 local units, an oprion which was materialised
in the Parliament upon approval of the Law No. 8653/2000 on “Territorial administrative division
of local government units of the Republic of Albania”.
In conclusion, this promise is evaluated as: true/fulfilled.
3. Return of TVSH and ATSH to the public
Promise: At the beginning of October 2013, in a an open conference with the media, the Prime
Minister Edi Rama responded to journalists’ questions regarding the reform processes that are
expected to be undertaken by the government and the commitments on the frame of fulfilling the
electoral campaign promises. One of the commitments undertaken by the Prime Minister Edi

Rama, articulated during the conference, was the one of “returning” the Albanian Public Television
and the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, to the public service.
Fact: In the course of 14 months of the Alliance for European Albania governance, still we do not
see any concrete action for the reformation of TVSH and ATSH, which makes this promise to be
considered as untrue/unfulfilled.
4. Problem of immigrants, children born in Greece (toponyms).
Promise: In June, 10, 2013, at a meeting organized by the Albanian immigrants in
Greece/Igumenice, the Emigration Secretary of the Socialist Party, Erion Veliaj, today the Minister
of Social Welfare and Youth promised in front of the Albanian immigrants that the problem of
toponyms will be settled, if the Socialist Party wins the elections in June, 23rd
.
Fact: Settlement of toponyms problem started since June, 11th
2013, a few days before the
electoral elections in June, 23th
. An agreement facilitating the free movement of the Albanian
citizens, residents in Greece, avoiding the barrier of toponyms written in Albanian in their
passports, or for the children already born in Greece, was concluded during the elections period in
June, 23th
. According to the agreement, there will be no barriers in border checkpoints for the
Albanians, residents in Greece.
While on May, 8th
, 2014, another important agreement was concluded, regarding the toponyms.
Albanian emigrants shall use their present passports until January, 1st
, 2015, despite the problems
they had previously with toponyms therein. Settlement was reached after the agreement
concluded between the two respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs, namely of Greece and Albania.
Both parties agreed to provide a proper solution to this problem according to the official
catalogues of both countries, deposited in the UNO. However, until January, 1st
, 2015, all the
Albanian citizens facing problems with toponyms have to issue a new passport. In order not to
prevent the free movement of citizens between the two countries, was approved the moratorium
for the free movement and without any bureaucratic barriers for the people with problems of
toponyms in their documents, a decision expected to remain into force until January, 1st
, 2015, an
agreed deadline between the two countries for the final settlement of the problem.
Approval of the DCM.
By a decision of the Council of Ministers of august, 27th
, 2014, it was decided to change the filling
out of the rubric “Place of birth” in the National Register of the Civil Service and in the certificates
that are going to be used by the foreign authorities, therefore solving the issue of toponyms in
passports and other identification documents of thousands of Albanian emigrants facing such
problems, especially with the Greek authorities. This change has to do with some appendices in
the former decision of the government, No. 332, dated March, 17th
, 2010, where it stipulates that:
“In all the models of certificates to be used by foreign authorities, which are issued by the civil
service offices in local government units, the information in the rubric “place of birth” should be
filled out, in writing according to the following cases:
a) For countries that have deposited to the UNO the official catalogues of Romanised geographical
names (toponyms), according to the list made available by the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, as
well as the 3-characters code of the respective country, in accordance with the standards of the
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), i.e. GRE for Greece;

b) For countries that have not deposited to the UNO these catalogues, according to the writing in
the document compiled from the origin country, but with symbols, Latin/Roman letters, as well as
the 3-characters code of the respective country, in accordance with the same standard;
c) The other rubrics of the certificates, for use by foreign authorities, should be filled in the official
language, “Albanian”.
After this change in filling the rubric “Place of birth” in the National Register of the Civil Service,
the passports shall be corrected, thus definitely solving also the problem of the biometric
passports.
Even though this promise covers all the real and legal elements, in order to be true/fulfilled, it still
remains to be verified the fulfilment of the duties the Albanian state has undertaken, until
January, 1st
, 2015.
5. Establishment of the National Coast Agency
Promise: On June, 6th
, 2013, in an electoral meeting organized in the city of Lezha, Edi Rama
promised the establishment of the National Coast Agency, which shall have the whole institutional
authority to treat all the problems of coastline.
Fact: At the meeting of the Council of Ministers of January, 22nd
, 2014, with the proposal of the
Minister of the Urban Development and Tourism, the Council of Ministers decided for the
establishment of the National Coast Agency, in charge of which is Auron Tare.
Despite this fact, there have been too many problems in this touristic season with the NCA,
because a certain number of promises are not met by it. First of all, the comprehensive
specialization of the stakeholders for touristic guides was not carried out. It was also promised
that observation towers for 7 pilot beaches shall be installed, but not all of them are fulfilled.
However, in terms of the institutional and structural respect, this agency is established and this
promise results as true/fulfilled.
6. Pension Reform
Promise: The government has promised the compilation and implementation of the new pension
reform, which shall guarantee the increase of contributors in the social insurance scheme and shall
guarantee higher pensions for citizens, based on the individual history of contributions.
Description of the situation: Compilation and implementation of the new pension reform is a
necessity for Albania, taking into consideration the actual scheme with a small number of
contributors as compared to the beneficiaries. Based on the data of the Ministry of Finance, this
deficit is covered every year by the state budget with a sum amounting to 430 million dollars.
Accordingly, the reduction of this deficit, guaranteeing of higher benefits, as well as compilation of

a more attractive scheme for the contributors, remains urgent.
Fact: Two months after coming into power, Rama government declared that it will draw up the
new pension reform. The draft was prepared by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, in
cooperation with the World Bank. The draft was finalized on February 2014 and on April of the
same year it was discussed with the stakeholders, despite their preliminary scepticism and
objection. On July, 31st
, 2014, the pension’s reform was ratified by the parliament, making it enter
into force since January, 1st
, 2015.
The new pension reform provides some significant changes compared to the existing one. Thus,
the pension age for men remains unchanged, 65 years until 2032 and following this year, it shall
be increased with a month per year until reaching the limit of 67 years. For women, the age will be
gradually increased with two months per year, reaching the age of 63 in 2032. The amount of
pension will depend on the insurance period and the salary on which social insurance
contributions were made. The reform provides even the removal of the ceiling maximum
compensation of 24.000 ALL, according to the alleged philosophy, that the more the contributions,
the greater the pension amount. The reform also provides removal of compensations and their
integration in the pension amount, the unification of minimal salaries into a single one, the
unification of the pension calculation, despite the type of job (agricultural co-operative or state
and private enterprise). Regarding the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, the reform is targeted
link the pension amount proportionally with the contributions already paid and no provision was
made on any decrease of the pension amount. But, irrespective of the new scheme, the pension
amount is individual and it depends on the individual contributing history.
The reform provides for the first time the social pension. This means that from the January, 1st
,
2015 approximately 5 thousand elder people over 70 years old actually that today do not have any
incomes for different reasons, will benefit a monthly pension of 6500 ALL. Nevertheless, it is not
sufficient to pay for the basic expenditures of life, such as: water, energy, medications and food.
The increase of the contribution years in the social insurance, from 35 to 40 years until 2025, is
another change made to the pension scheme. This change of the government, related to the years
of social contributions, is assessed as having an adverse impact for the future beneficiaries of
pensions, because it decreases the number of people that benefit full pension. This happens for
some reasons. Based on the current scheme, (not changed) in order to benefit the pension, you
have to reach the age of pension, as well as the years of the social contributions, actually 35 years.
The scheme provides that if you have reached the age of pension, but not the years of
contribution, you benefit a partial pension and if you have not reached the age of pension, but you
have reached the years of contributions needed, you benefit a penalizing partial pension. In the
latter category comprises the majority of Albanians currently that have worked in a transition
period and find it difficult to reach the working years. These measures the government is
undertaking may be interpreted as coercive measures to regulate a system, almost collapsed.
These measures, in the future may save the system, but not the beneficieries.
Removal of privileges for recognizing the insurance periods, without paying contributions for
women, such as recognition of studies years as insured years. It is unclear what impact shall bring
in the system the removal of contributions recognized by law, for the four years of study for

women. The impact of this legal intervention and the rationale behind it is confusing.
The increases of the contribution rate for rural areas equating the farmers’ contributions with
the ones of the urban areas until 2017. This change, undertaken by the government for this
category, is by no means real in the social-economic context, in which our farmers live today in
villages with minimal incomes. Based on the new scheme, a self-employed person in rural areas
should pay 31.500 ALL contributions per year from 17.280 he/she paid pursuant to the old
scheme, while a self-employed person in mountainous areas should pay 24.150 out of 11.232 ALL
per year he/she paid pursuant to the old scheme. Based on the scheme, it is expected the
difference of the contributions to be reduced that is covered by the state budget, namely in plain
areas, it will be 59%, covered nearly 21.534 ALL, while for mountainous areas it will be 455,
covered nearly 28.884 ALL by the state budget. This change will bring the decrease of the
budgetary burden, exceeding the difference already decresed to the farmer. Even though the
government seems to be optimistic regarding the success of the scheme, in terms of this
component, the fact shows that there is minimal likelihood for success, because the farmer’s
economic situation in plain and mountainous areas is not likely to be improved in the following
years, to the extent necessary to face the increased contribution payment and their equalization
with the urban areas contributors.
The new pension reform unifies the method of benefits calculation from the scheme, for all the
protected categories as employed, self employed, employed and self employed in villages and
cities. Starting from January, 1st
, 2015, it will begin the equalization of contribution in villages and
cities, a process due to end in 2018. On the frame of the new reform, December 31st
, 2014 was
decided as the deadline for the amnesty of default interests for the self employed in villages, if
they pay their contributions. After January, 1st
, 2015 starts the application of default interest.
Also, under the frame of the new pension reform, in November 2014, the parliament passed the
decrease of pension age for miners, aged 60 to 55. According to the official data of the Ministry of
Social Welfare and Youth, from the review of this law, 3850 miners will benefit.
It is still unclear how this reform will be implemented from January, 1st
, 2015 on and how the
above mentioned changes will be really implemented. Taking into consideration these elements,
this promise is considered as true/fulfilled/for verification in terms of the legal change aspect
(reform), but it will be under follow up and verification process, in order to assess the progress
of the implementation.
7. Support for pension for the policemen killed on duty
Promise: In January, 23rd
, 2013, during a visit in one of the families of the policemen killed on duty,
in Rashbull, district of Durrës, the head of the SP, Edi Rama, today the Prime Minister of the
country, promised the review of the financial support for the families of the policemen killed on
duty, as well as a life insurance for policemen are actually part of the state police.
General description: A series of promises are said since September-October 2013, related to the
financial support of the policemen killed on duty. These promises vary from the support of

donating dwellings, to the support with considerable pensions for a dignified life. However, a small
part of the family members of the policemen killed on duty receive more than just a condolence
notice at Christmas and New Year.
Fact: The approval in July, 31st
, 2014 of the new law for the State Police, No. 108/2014, did not
bring any change regarding the promises for the pension review or a special pension for the
policemen killed on duty, as well as life insurance for the policemen still working in the police
department.
As a conclusion, this promise remains untrue/unfulfilled.
8. Normalisation of the energy system is a priority of crucial importance;
Promise: The government has determined the normalization of the energy system as its priority of
crucial importance. It has promised a radical reform to get the energy system out of the crisis and
to return it in a profitable sector for the economy.
Description of the situation: Energy sector remains one of the weakest points of the Albanian
economy, having greater effects not only for public finances, but even for the economic and social
life of the citizens. This sector carries inherited problems over the years, reflected later on a high
level of losses and in a low level of encashment.
According to the data of the Electrical Energy Distribution Operator (ex CEZ Delivery), at the end of
2013, the level of losses was calculated to be nearly 45%, while the encashment was less than
70%. Meanwhile, the level of debts among companies in the energy sector, but even to the third
parties, is evaluated, according to the data of the Ministry of Energy and Industry, approximately 1
milliard dollars. A great part of the family consumers do not have electricity meter and are actually
flat rate invoiced. On the other hand, in addition to the family and businesses consumers, even the
central and local state institutions result debtors of the energy payment. Electricity supply remains
dependent on the import, which means that it is a permanent threat to the state budget. A
continuous problem has been even the relation between the Albanian Electro-Energy Corporation
and private hydropower plants. KESH is obliged by law to buy the energy produced by these plants
at a price that varies according to the data of the Electro-Energy Corporation, from 7-9 ALL per
kWh, while it sells it to OSHEE much cheaper. This resulted in a financial deficit for KESH and in an
accumulated debt which the corporation has to pay to the private HEC, and at the end of 2013 it
reached nearly 60 million euro, according to the official data of the Albanian Electro-Energy
Corporation.
A heavy burden for the energy sector has also been the failure in the privatization process of the
Energy Distribution Operator by the Czech company CEZ. The conflict between the Albanian
government and the Czech group reached its climax in January, 21st
, 2013, when the Energy
Regulatory Entity banned its licence and delegated its competences of managing the company to a
temporary state administrator. Despite the above mentioned problems, the energy sector is facing
a high level of the network amortization, as a result of the lack of investments for many years. This
is the cause of defects and the lack of electricity supply for the citizens. To survive despite the

debts, but even to provide energy to distribution companies, KESH was obliged to receive many
credits in banks, while the guarantor was the Albanian government. This increases even more the
impact the crisis on energy sector has over the state budget.
Fact: The first step undertaken by the government to normalize the situation in the energy sector
was the approval of the Council of Ministers Decision, in December 2013, to establish a Task Force,
headed by Deputy/Prime Minister Niko Peleshi. This Task Force started its work on 15 January
2014 and it will end in May, 2015. Its duty was to perform a better management of the situation in
the energy sector as well as improvement of main indicators, among others, reduction of losses
and increase of encashment. Even though these two indicators were improved a bit by the end of
2014, the problems in the energy sector were obvious. The next step the government undertook,
was the negotiations with the Czech company CEZ, in order to solve the problem based on
understanding and to avoid international arbitration. At the end of June, 2014, was reached a
agreement with CEZ for solving the problem in understanding. The government promised a radical
reform in the energy sector, which was the same condition of the three-year agreement of
cooperation with the IMF. On March, 2014, the Parliament passed the changes in the Criminal
Code, whereby stealing of energy was considered as a crime and was sentenced to 3 years
imprisonment, while for the collaborator 5 years of imprisonment. In parallel with this measure,
the government managed to ensure 150 million dollars of credit from the World Bank for the
energy sector recovery. This agreement was signed on November, 3rd
, 2014. The reform provides
interventions in some aspects, one of which is the price. The Energy Regulatory Entity is expected
to make a decision within December, concerning the new tariffs which will enter in force on
January, 1st
, 2015, while the Prime Minister, Edi Rama declared that in November will be
conducted a price restructuring. This means the removal of the protective division of consumption
of 300 kWh per month, on the grounds that it is a source of abuse. On the other hand, at the end
of October, the government began the nationwide operation against electrical energy stealing.
This operation provides prison arrest for all those stealing the electrical energy, break of energy
supply for the consumers proved to be debtors and prison arrest if they tend to illegally reconnect
the electricity. In order to encourage the citizens to pay their charges, the government decided to
grant amnesty of 80% of the default interest if the citizens pay fully their obligations, and also
offered the opportunity to pay the debits by installment. This was followed by an influx of people
rushing to the OSHEE Customer Care Offices, to pay the overdue bills. According to OSHEE official
data, encashment for November increased by 49% compared to those for November 2013. The
increase of encashment is stated for current bills and even for the debtor ones. Also, during
November 7555 new contracts were signed, 51592 illegal connections were suspended
throughout the country and the level of losses decreased by 34.5%. The Energy Distribution
Operator has filed 611 denouncements for energy stealing with the Prosecution, while 48 workers
of OSHEE are arrested as collaborators of energy abuse. The measure recently undertaken by the
government is the dismissal of the workers who have not paid the electricity bill. On December,
6th
, the Minister of Justice decided the dismissal of 131 policemen working in the prison system, on
the grounds that they were debtors of energy for 13 years, while on December, 8th
, 234 workers of
OSHEE, who have not paid the energy bills for more than 2 months, were dismissed.

The last measure undertaken by the government for the dismissal of the public administration
workers resulting as debtors is considered as the most punitive measure undertaken by the
government. Also, this measure has no legal reference on which it can be based, on the contrary,
it interferes with several laws that protect and guarantee the rights of the employees in the
public administration.
Furthermore, in this operation of the government for the dismissal of the public administration
workers, there is a reasonable nonsense in the subsequent actions, because a few days following
the dismissal of the first workers, the government disclosed its decision for the payment of the
unpaid bills, by amnestying 80% of the default interest, a rule which is not available to those
working in the public administration.
It is still to be verified how this reform in the energy sector shall proceed. Based on the changes
accomplished by far, this promise is considered as partially fulfilled.
9. Elimination of monopolies
Promise: The government has promised to fight against monopolies, which implies guaranteeing a
fair competitiveness between businesses on the market, but even benefits to the citizens.
Description of the situation: The monopolies remain one of the main concerns of markets in
Albania, resulting in negative consequences for the normal operation of the markets, but even for
the citizens whot do no benefit qualitative services and with competitive prices. Monopolies are
part of certain markets through the signed concessionary contracts, such as the concession of
fiscal stamps, marking of gas stations, scanning of containers, concession of the Harbour of Durrës,
as well as the one of commissioning the cars.
Fact: Since the electoral campaign, the government promised elimination of the monopoles. This
attitude was stressed out by the Prime Minister, Edi Rama after winning the elections and coming
into power. At the plenary session of October, 31st
, 2013, he declared that: “We shall ruin every
monopoly we have found so far and will still find: on the air, sea and ground. Free competitiveness
will be placed and every monopoly will be ruined. Every company will be respected by us and will
be obliged to respond to every single obligation.”
The first concession the government suspended was the one of the containers scanning and on
august, 14th
, 2014, Rapiscan Company appealed the case to the international arbitration. This
concessionary agreement foresaw financing, building and operation of the containers scanning
service and of the other vehicles in the Republic of Albania, as well as the scanning service tariff.
Since the beginning, the concession faced with the objection of the businesses, while in June this
year, the Competitiveness Authority recommended to the Ministry of Finance and the Council of
Ministers, the review of the concessionary contract, on the ground tha it interferes with the Article

33 of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SSA).
Another concession, warned by the government to be suspended is that of the commissioning of
cars. On January, 24th
, 2014, the Prime Minister, Edi Rama revealed that the liberalization of the
market of the commissioning of cars, without excluding the possibility of suspending the
concessionary contract. But, in this respect, no concrete steps are taken.
Another concession the government was committed to suspend was that of the fiscal stamps. On
November 12, 2014, the Minister of Finance, Shkëlqim Cani stated that the government has begun
the negotiation with the company in charge of the concession, and it should be expected the
results of such negotiations.
Monopoly concessions due to be suspended:
1. Concession of containers scanning;
2. Concession of commissioning of cars;
3. Concession of fiscal stamps;
4. Concession of marking the gas stations.
It is still to be verified, what concrete measures are going to be taken in the future. Based on the
changes accomplished by far, this promise is considered as untrue/unfulfilled.
10. Radical improvements in the Health System
Promise: The reform on health system is one of the most important points of the electoral
program of the Socialist Party. Calling the health care service as one of the worst public services of
the Albanian citizens, the Socialists stated since the beginning of the electoral campaign that the
Albanian health system does not fulfil any of its functions: it does not prevent, it does not
diagnostify, it does not cure and it does not rehabilitate.
The reform was based on:
1. Changing the contributing system of the health care provision, thus “free health” through
financing out of the general taxation.
2. Removal of value added tax in medical services and goods, as effective since the beginning
of 2014.
3. Enhancing the role of the public health, as well as health prevention and promotion
programs.
4. Development of national programs of early preventing and discovering tumor and
cardiovascular diseases. The implementation of a national program on the primary care for
the group aged 40-60 as well as for younger people of some specific categories of society

will start within 2014.
5. Correct compilation and implementation of contemporary protocols of medication.
6. The establishment of the National Service of Medical Emergency, in order to provide faster
and professional presence throughout the territory of the country, setting the same
standards in all the admission centres, responding to the changeable needs during the
seasons of the year for care to diseases and traumas.
7. Correct compilation and implementation of the medication protocols and standard
procedures at work make up a necessary step with regard to the increase of the
transparency, verification, responsibility and accountability, finally aimed at gradual
increasing and improving of hospital service quality.
8. Hospitals will be administrated efficiently and will be financed based on the service
packages that the single payer will contract for the necessary hospital care of each person.
9. All public and non-public hospitals will be subject to the initial accreditation process and
the periodical reassessment. University hospital services will have a primary role, even in
the professional mentoring of hospital services throughout the country.
10. Professional standards will be set for providing dental service; the safety of dental and
medical materials will be guaranteed, and periodical reassessment of the stomatologists’
professional skills will be required.
11. We will lower the price of selling medications in Albania. There will be no registered
pharmaceutical product that will be sold in our country with a higher price than that in the
origin country. The Medications Control Center will be transferred into the National Agency
of Medications and Medical Materials.
Fact: Over the course of more than one year of governance, the left wing party has fulfilled these
aspects in the health system:
1. On April 1 2014 the VAT for medications was removed, while 55 new products were added
to the list of reimbursable medications. This list of medications, approved by the
government was focused mainly on the patients suffering from cancer, anaemia, diabetes,
cardiac diseases and neurology. For the first time, in the list were included medications
used to cure the alcohol addiction. Removal of 10% VAT for the medications resulted in a
reduction of their price.
2. In June, 2014, the Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj stated that the regular supply of the
hospitals with medications is still going on. According to Mr. Beqaj, the Ministry managed
to make available the mechanism, which guarantees a continuous supply of hospitals with
medications. Also, long term contracts for maintaining important bio-medical equipment
were concluded.
3. Even though proposed at the end of September, 2014, the Ministry of Health and the Fund
of Insurances and Health Care decided to apply for the first time, on November, 2014, free
health packages. A coronary graphic analysis, bypass interventions or dialysis is free of
charge even in the private hospitals. Ministry of Health conducted the procedures for
purchasing 10 service packages, for which, patients kept waiting for months in the public
hospitals. Costs were assessed by the Fund of Insurances and Health Care and contracts
with 5 private hospitals in the country were concluded.
4. Launching of the campaign “How are you”, started since January, 2014. For the first time,
in the whole country is provided a free entire health control for the age group 40 to 65
years.

Despite the interventions on the medications price, health packages, public hospital supply with
medications, as well as the launching of the “check up” campaign, the interventions in the system
are considered to be superficial/correcting and not essential for radical change or reformation of
the system.
Hence, this promise is considered as untrue/unfulfilled.
11. Employment based on merit and competitiveness
Promise: Employment based on merit and competitiveness has been one of the electoral promises
of Socialists before the parliamentary elections in June, 23, 2013. The Prime Minister Rama
specified this promise even during the online conference on October, 1, 2013 stressing out that:
“Every servant of this country that is employed based on merit will be on duty and will be
respected even more than he/she was respected so far”, responding to the concern related to fear
of dismissal. Regarding Rama’s promise, all will have the opportunity to compete and there will be
continuous public announcements, in compliance with the law.
Fact
1. On October 18, 2013, the government through the Minister of Innovation and Public
Administration, Milena Harito, announced the start of organizing open competitions, to
give the opportunity to everyone, who is able to work in the Public Administration. These
competitions were firstly opened in the National Agency of Information Association
(AKSHI), and in some institutions under the subordination of the Ministry of Culture. The
candidates were announced through the official websites of institutions, but also through
the online database;
2. In February, 2014, the government sent for discussion in the Parliament, the draft law “On
some amendments on the law of Civil Servant”, after the decision of the Constitutional
Court that abolished the Normative Act of the Government. Two of the most important
articles of the draft law were relevant to the job suppression and the compensation which
in this draft law was stipulated to be 1 to 3 monthly salaries. These amendments
subsequently approved by the Parliament, without voting of opposition, inflicted debate
between both parties. According to the opposition, the amendments made to the law on
Civil Servant were anti-constitutional and also legalized dismissals;
3. In August, 2014, the Public Administration Department announced for the first time the
number of 113 vacancies out of 157 positions at the specialist level, for the whole State
Administration. The process was suspended until the fulfilment of the new law for the civil
servant with the necessary bylaw acts, the effects of which started in February, 26, 2014. It
was the first time that the State Administration did not organize competition for job
vacancies, instead, competitions for a group of positions, which means massive
competitions and grouped for similar positions. The winners of these competitions were
granted the opportunity to choose where they would like to work, unlike earlier practices
where the heads used to choose by the list of winners. The applications were made on the
online webpage of the Public Administration Department.

4. Following inspections of the Ministry of Education in November, 2014 where 2056 teachers
resulted irrelevant to their professional profile, the institution announced 1984 free
vacancies, remaining vacant due to the dismissal of the teachers irrelevant to their
professional profile. The test was carried out on 6 December, in 12 districts of the country.
Conclusion: The applications for job position within the State Administration, for the first time,
following the Socialists arrival to power, started to be transparent through online webpages of the
respective ministries, which still remain the same. The amendments made on the law of “civil
servant” marked positive developments as to the transparency, too. But whether or not
employment following the relevant application and test through merit and competition is truly as
such, it remains an immeasurable issue.
This promise is considered as immeasurable.
12.Attack of corrupted workers in Public Institutions
Promise: On October, 1, 2013, the Prime Minister Edi Rama, held his first online conference as the
head of the government. Among the numerous questions asked by the citizens, he stated that he
is determined to “impinge” all the corrupted workers in the public institutions. Asked whether
there would be any criminal charges against any of the former high rank officials in case of
verifying corruptive affairs, the Prime Minister Rama, responded: “Undoubtly, yes.”
Facts
Dossier “Arben Imami”
The former Defence Minister is the only minister directly denounced by his successor, Mimi
Kodheli. In December 2013, she accused Imami of abuse with advertisement tenders, the purchase
of C-4 (explosive), transfer under his ownership of the sports-club ‘Partizani’, and even of
eavesdropping equipment for SHIU (Military Informative Service). But, in September, 2014, the
Prosecution Office of Tirana decided to close the investigation process for the dossier Imami. The
closure of the investigation process against Imami and the other accused officials, resulted due to
the fact that during investigations no evidence of criminal precedent were found, more specifically
no abuse with duty. Imami’s legal activity was based on a DCM of 2008, even though this decision
is inconsistent with the law on Public Procurements. The Prosecution Office referred to this DCM
to quash the case, while the DCM is still in force.
Dossier of Sea Pact with Greece
On 28 May 2014, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati submitted to the Prosecution
Office information concerning abuses of sea agreement with Greece in 2009, concretely the
criminal offence of ‘alienating territories.’ At that time, this pact was signed by Lulzim Basha, in the
position of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and was prepared by a negotiating group. Only on
November, 22, 2014, the Prosecution Office of Tirana seized the whole dossier of this pact. The
Prosecution Office is expected to interrogate also the negotiating group, composed of 11 people,
but still is unknown whether the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lulzim Basha shall be asked to
participate in the interrogation process.
Dossier “Ridvan Bode”

After a criminal offence of the Minister of Finance, Shkëlqim Cani, Anticorruption Task Force Unit,
in the Prosecution Office of Tirana, received in October, 15, 2014 a criminal offence against Ridvan
Bode and Sherefedin Shehu for a credit with 13.5 % interest rate, withdrawn in 2009 for the
construction of Durrës-Kukës road. The Prosecution Office is still on the phase of searching
information by the Ministry of Finance, the second-tier Banks that participated in tender, as well
as from the former Minister of Finance, Ridvan Bode himself, and his deputy, Sherefedin Shehu.
Dossier of the former head of the cabinet of Spiro Ksera
The High State Control and a former worker of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, filed a
lawsuit in October, 2013 with the Prosecution Office of Tirana, at the time when this institution
was headed by the minister Spiro Ksera, against four high officials of this ministry. They were
accused of corruption, as they prearranged a tender of 20 million ALL for a television spot, which
was never realized. All the four accused persons were given the measure of “arrest into jail”, but
two of them Kleves Bitro, the former Director of the Cabinet and Murat Mehmeti are still declared
as being under search.
Dossier “Hysni Burgaj”
On February, 2014, the Ministry of Interior, accused the former General Director of the State
Police, Hysni Burgaj for infringement with regard to television advertisements, related to a tender
of 3.1 million dollars at the expense of the state budget. In addition to Burgaj, nine other former
high rank officials of the police department were denounced with the Prosecution Office with the
same accusation. Eight months after the investigation process, in September 2014, the
Prosecution Office of Tirana, quashed the case on the grounds that that the procedure already
followed comprised no elements of law infringement.
Other facts:
Dossier of “January, 21”
Reopening of the case on the serious events of January, 21, 2011 protests that led to the killing of
4 citizens by the Guard forces of the Republic and putting before justice the persons who ordered
the killings of 4 citizens, is one of the electoral promises made by Edi Rama and Socialist Party.
Even after 1 year and four months of the Socialist Party governance, there is still no official
pronouncement by the executive institutions to request officially reopening of the dossier of
January, 21.
Dossier of “Gërdec”
The serious event on 15 March 2008 in Gërdec, where 26 citizens lost their lives and too many
others were severely damaged, is one of the most serious events that have happened in Albania,
not just for the fact that 26 people lost their lives, but also for the fact that this event revealed a
mega corruption among the higher officials of Berisha government and the businessmen whot led
the illegal activity of military weapons dismantling, without meeting the technical conditions. The
weak and problematic progress of the judicial process for putting the real culprits of the tragedy
before the justice bodies, made the officials of the Socialist Party to declare permanently that
doing justice for the explosion vicitims in Gërdec, would be one of the main commitments of the
Socialist Party, mentioned also during the last elections on June, 23, 2013. Even in this case of a
special importance, still there is no official pronouncement by the central institutions, to request
reopening of the Gërdec case as a whole, including also the main accused person of this case,
Fatmir Mediu.

Conclusions: As already understood by description of the above facts, ‘elimination’ of corruption
characterizing former high officials of Berisha government, has remained at the level of the
criminal denouncement, which then are qashed by the Prosecution Office, while for some other,
silence was the option.
This promise is considered as untrue/unfulfilled.
13. Formalisation of Economy
Promise: The government was committed to formalize the economy, by expanding the taxpayers’s
basis.
Description of the situation: The Albanian economy still faces problems of formalism. According
to the data from the World Bank, the “grey” part of the economy is assessed about 30%. Due to
the relatively high level of the informal economy, the state budget looses millions of ALL every
year, while this causes problems on preservation of fair competitiveness in the market, because a
business that does not pay taxes and duties is favoured in profits compared to a fair business.
Fact: In the first year of the governance, the government aimed to fight the fiscal evasion through
its policy of taxation and duties. For the first time in the budget of 2014 it was applied the
progressive tax which provided the reduction of the fiscal burden for low-salary employees. By
such a measure, the aim was not only to help the poor classes, but also to encourage the
businesses disclose their low-salary employees. On the other hand, in the fiscal package of this
year was provided increase on income tax from 10 to 15%. According to the business
representatives, such as the Confindustry, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tirana, etc., this
measure will affect the increasing of the evasion, given that increased taxes will cause businesses
to avoid disclosure.
Official data of the Ministry of Finance show that for 2014, nearly 8.7% of the increase on incomes
is a result of well-administration and this is an indicator of the fight against evasion. It is worth
stressing out that the majority of the incomes of the state budget results from tax increase in the
fiscal package, provided for this year up to 23 milliard ALL. Even in the fiscal package of 2015, the
government has provided increased taxes and duties, which will ensure 16 milliard ALL in the state
cash desk. At the same time, due to well-administration it has planned to acquire nearly 30
milliard ALL.
Meanwhile, a problem of concern for the market remains still malfunctioning of fiscal cash register
and the issuing of tax invoice. The General Taxation Directorate and the Ministry of Finance have
stated that in July this year a National Lottery shall be organized, whereby citizens can earn
various presents by collecting tax invoices and using them on the lottery. This project aimed at
receiving the invoice and fighting against evasion has still remained on paper.
It is to be seen how the fiscal well-administration and the other measures to be taken in the fight
against fiscal evasion shall continue. Based on the progress made so far, this promise is considered
as untrue/unfulfilled.

14. Package on Justice Reform
Promise: Justice and its reformation is one of the most important duties that should be fulfilled,
and even a major challenge in the work of the new government.
General description: Justice in Albania has been the lost challenge of each government in the
course of 25 years of democracy. Every government that has governed the country during the past
25 years, both the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party have demonstrated their unwillingness
to undo and rebuild a justice system capable of being independent, free from corruption and
equal for everyone.
 Fact: During this period, which corresponds to the 1 year and four months of governance,
too little was done in this respect, almost nothing at all in the context of essential
reformation of the justice system. During this period were noticed certain marginal
interventions in the system, without direct impact on improving the judicial system
performance. Some of the legal interventions and measures subject to verification and
denunciation of corruption cases are as follows:
 Approval of the anticorruption legislative package, making amendments in the Criminal
Procedure Code, classifying corruption as a serious crime, when committed by senior
officials, judges, prosecutors, etc., and we decided that these cases shall be judged by the
Court of Serious Crimes;
 2 judges have been arrested for the criminal offence of corruption;
 3 judges are under investigation for concealment of property in millions of Euros (Gjin
Gjoni case);
 Setting online portal on the webpage of the Ministry of Justice for denouncing corruption
cases in the judicial system;
 Digital Notary Register through ‘One Stop Shop’ system, for transactions with immovable
properties by avoiding corruption phenomena in this system;
 Registration and digitalization of the whole AKKP decision-making process over the years,
through scanning and registration in a unified database.
Despite the above mentioned interventions, a lot remains to be done in comprehensive
reformation of the justice system in Albania. Hence, this promise still remains untrue/unfulfilled
15. Taking national assets under control
Promise: In May, 21 2013, in the Election Convention of the Socialist Party, the Parliament
Member Eduard Shalsi stated that a point of the socialists’ mission after winning elections in June,
23, was putting and taking all the Albanian assets under control. According to Mr. Shalsi, the past
government has barbarously exploited the natural resources and the beneficiaries were only a
clique close to the government.
Fact

1. Shortly after official start at work, on 1 October 2013, the Council of Ministers annulled 25
decisions of Berisha cabinet, mainly taken during the last months of the governance. These
decisions dealt with the concessions in the field of energy and natural resources, as well as
granting public assets to be used by private entities. The concessionary permission was
banned for seven hydropower plants. The decision for the reconstruction of the Harbour of
Yachts, in Porto Palermo, Himara was also annulled.
2. On 23 January 2014, the Council of Ministers abolished the decision taken in august, 2012,
which granted for 30 years by concession, nearly 3 km of the Albanian coastline, from the
beach of Dhërmi to the beach of Perivolli. The Minister of Tourism and Urban
Development, Eglantina Gjermeni, explained at that time that this decision was taken on
the frame of the necessary legislative interventions, considered as urgent for freeing these
areas from illegal constructions and interventions, to the detriment of the citizens’
interests.
3. On March, 7 2014, the Minister of Energy and Industry, Damian Gjiknuri signed the start of
the procedures for revoking of 121 mineral permissions that comprise nearly 16% of the
total number of the issued permissions. The Order of Minister was issued following the
control exercised by the structures of the Ministry of Energy and Industry to the entities
provided with relevant permission for the development of their mining activity. During this
audit it was identified the lack of implementation of the rules and financial obligations to
the state.
4. Transfer of the Electrical Energy Distribution Operator from the private administration to
the public one. On October, 17 20014, the Albanian State concluded the final agreement
with the Czech of CEZ, to pass 100% of the shares of OSHEE company to the state. The
conclusion of this battle, according to the Minister of Energy, Mr. Gjiknuri paved the way to
investments and network interventions, which had been hostage to a failed privatization
process. Based on this agreement between the Albanian government and the CEZ
Company, the latter benefited 95 million Euros.
By considering the actions of the majority so far, the promise to take the national assets under
control seems partially fulfilled. However, it still remains to be seen, in the future years of the
government mandate, what will happen to the ‘Albpetrol’ company, for which the Minister
Gjiknuri has stated that “the Albanian government will try to resell it, but under new privatization
conditions”.
This promise is considered as partially fulfilled.
16. Starting the legalization process of illegal constructions
Promise: The government promised to fulfil the legalization process of the illegal constructions
and urbanization of these areas, as a method to put an end to urban chaos and to develop the
territory according to urban plannings. According to the promise, legalization will be free of
charge.
Description of the situation: Informal and not legalized dwellings are one of the most acute
problems of the Albanian society and the economy over the past 24 years. Despite each
government’ promises, this process was never fulfilled, due to the large number of the objects to
be legalized, but even due to the numerous problems of this process. Based on the data of

ALUIZNI, until the end of 2013, nearly 22 thousand legalization processes were carried out and 293
thousands of applications for legalization were submitted.
Fact: The first step undertaken by the government to solve the legalization issue was the
amendment of the law No. 9482, dated 3.4.2006, “On legalization, urbanization and integration of
illegal constructions”, which entered in force in April, 2014. The relevant amendments provided
inclusion of illegal constructions built on the territory of the Republic of Albania, in the legalization
procedures, until the amendments of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania would enter in
force, regardless of the function and the fact whether or not self-disclosure was done during the
specified deadline. This enables the identification of illegal constructions, built after the
legalization period/deadline and treating them finally, through the administrative and legal
procedures.
In addition, the amendments of the law included creation of fiscal facilities for entities in
possession of illegal constructions, used as living environments dispensing them from service fee
for the legalization procedures (identification on-site ofillegal constructions, preparation of the
technical and legal documents) and providing free service. Accordingly, the dwellings legalization
procedures were provided free of charge for the citizens. Amendments of the law provided even
other alternative ways of payment, such as partial payment through privatization vouchers,
stimulation for immediate repayment of the obligations through reduction of the amount and
inclusion of the construction parcel into alternative payment schemes for entities upon impossible
conditions to pay or in possession of illegal constructions used as living environments.
In addition, the government passed several DCMs to complete the legal package of the legalization
process. One of the main DCMs was the amendment of the assessment scheme of land, so that
the land shall not have the same price in Tirana, Kukës, or Gjirokastra, etc.
Another measure taken by the government was the increased cooperation between ALUIZNI,
Immovable Property Registration Offices and the Agency for Property Restitution and
Compensation, in order to shorten the operation peroid. ALUIZNI decided December, 31 as the
deadline for self-disclosure. Following this date, all illegal constructions that are not under the
process of legalization will be destroyed.
It still remains to be seen how the legalization and the issuing of property certificates processes
will proceed. Based on the progress so far, this promise is considered as partially fulfilled/for
verification.
17. Reduction of the pension age for people working on rough/difficult jobs, miners, etc.
Promise: The present majority, promised during the electoral campaign of June, 23 2013 increase
of the pension age for people working on rough/difficult jobs, mainly the miners. Miners retire at
the age of 60.

Description of the situation: Reduction of the pension age for miners has been an early request of
the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania and of the Independent Trade Union of Miners
of Albania. They requested reduction of the pension age to 55 years, with 25 years of work, out of
which 12.5 years underground and 12.5 on the surface. The head of the Independent Trade Union
of Miners, Mr. Gëzim Kalaja has held continuous negotiation, not only with the current
government, but even with the previous ones in order to reduce the pension age and increase the
pension payment.
Fact: On 3 September 2014, spanning to a period of one year of governing mandate, the Council of
Ministers adopted a draft law compiled by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth on the
reduction of the pension age for miners. The draft law “On pensions of workers who have worked
in underground mines”, following submission before the parliamentary commissions, was adopted
in the parliamentary session on November, 6 2014 in the Parliament. Therefore, this means
reducing the pension age for the underground miners to 55 years old from 60 it previously was.
Reduction of the pension age, in this way fulfils the request of the miners’ union, as a need
relevant to the difficult/rough work conditions in this sector. Under the law, the social insurance
period is predicted 30 years in total, of which 12 years and 6 months make up working
underground. In his statements, the Minister of Social Welfare and Youth, Mr. Erion Veliaj, stated:
“upon reduction of the pension age for miners, we kept our promise, since the first year of our
governance. We apologize about the past 8 years of the previous governance, during which the
previous government disregarded miners, who work everyday under rough/difficult conditions.”
Who benefits: By decreasing the retirement age for miners to five years, 3 thousand and 840
workers in this sector benefit, of whom 3690 people are actually beneficiaries of the special
financial treatment scheme, in reliance of the law No. 8685, dated 9.11.2000, “On a special
treatment of workers who have worked in mines, underground”, as amended; and the rest are
new beneficiaries. Under the law, based on the actual number of employees working underground
mines, it was predected that for four years the number of people to benefit from the reduction of
the retirement age, shall actually reach this figure. People due to be treated based on this new
law, despite the predicted retirement pension, will benefit even the compensation on low
incomes, as well as the compensation resulting from the increase of the electrical energy price,
similar to other people who benefit retirement pension. According to the Ministry of Social
Welfare and Youth, the law will bring increase of the retirement pension, not only for those due to
retire under the new law, but also for those actually retired. The latter, based on the new law, will
be paid 5500 ALL more than they actually receive at the end of each month, i.e. 9 thousand ALL.
While the miners’ retirement pension already calculated by the new formula will be up to 21
thousands ALL. In total, the annual financial effect for 3 thousand and 840 beneficiaries, will
amount to 739 million ALL.
Pursuant to the procedure, following approval in the Parliament of Albania, the new law should be
published in the Official Journal and shall enter in force after this publication. The law is published
in the Official Journal on December, 1 2014, so it enters in force on December, 16 2015.
This promise is considered as true/fulfilled.
18. A system for the future, whereby everyone will benefit free health service while the
hospital boards themselves shall decide on equipments

Promise: On February 16, 2013, the actual Prime Minister, at that time the Head of the Socialist
Party, Edi Rama, stated in Elbasan that in the electoral program of the left wing about the
healthcare in the new system proposed, everyone would benefit free health service and the
hospital boards would chose what equipment to buy. Therefore, after coming into power the
Socialist Party would overthrow the current scheme of the system operation where every person
pays 1.7% of his/her own salary which is as much as the employer pays as a contribution, too. The
SP Parliament Member, Klodiana Spahiu who led the compilation group of healthcare program,
stated in September, 2013 that you just need the Albanian citizenship in order to benefit free
health service. Thus, Albanians would pay no more health insurances in order to acquire the
necessary service. On the other hand, the hospital boards themselves would decide for purchasing
large hospital equipments, and not the Ministry of Health. This promise comprises two sub-
promises.
Fact: To say that every citizen benefits free health service means that he/she will not pay health
insurance contributions, so they will be covered by the general taxation. In the television program
“Kapital” of December 5, 2014, the Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj stated that this scheme, thus the
removal of the health insurance, will start on January 1, 2017. According to the Minister, the
scheme “the more you earn, the more you pay”, will bring incomes in the state budget, that shall
be used about the health funding. This scheme will be functional following approval of a new law,
stated Mr. Beqaj. On the other hand, the opposition considered this promise of the majority a big
electoral “manipulation”.
On the other hand, the government has undertaken for the first time the campaign of the free
Health Control, for all Albanians aged 40-65 to visit once a year their health center near their
residence and to perform their primary care free of charge. According to the Ministry of Health,
this control will start in January, 2015. The 415 health centres all around Albania, will face the
inflow of those asking to have their control. “We are drawing a relatively large map, which will
function as a mobile unit. There will be five mobile units in about 15% of the Albanian territory
which shall not be subject to their control in January, but shall have it from May to September,
30”, stated Mr. Beqaj on December 5, 2014.
One of the steps undertaken by the government, on the frame of fulfilling this promise, relates to
the proposed initiative by the end of September, 2014. The Ministry of Health and the Fund of
Insurance and Health Care started to apply, for the first time in November, 2014 the free health
packages. A coronary graphic analysis, by-pass interventions or dialyses are free even in the
private hospitals. The Ministry of Health followed the procedures to purchase 10 service packages
for the patients who kept waiting for months in public/state hospitals. The costs were calculated
by the Fund of Health Care Insurance and contracts with 5 private hospitals in the country were
concluded.
As to the sub-promise, where the hospital boards will decide for the equipments they choose to
buy, still nothing has changed from the actual scheme and the large hospital equipment continue
to be purchased by the Ministry of Health.
Assessing the above facts, it can be concluded that neither of the two promises was fulfilled. Even
though the government, through the Ministry of Health introduced the package for free of charge
visits in the private hospitals, this cannot be considered as a radical change of the system or a
sustainable policy. This is still on the frame of the tendency to consider this process completed.
Thus, this promise is considered as untrue/unfulfilled.

19. Within the first 9 months, all public works’ debts will be paid
Promise: Since the electoral campaign the current majority promised to repay public works’
debts within the first 9 months of its governance, in an attempt to establish new relations with
the business in order to return the trust of undertaking to the public institutions and to
represent itself as a responsible government which accepts its own responsibilities (even
though they were created by the previous government) and respects the contracts.
Description of the situation: Outstanding obligations to the business were created during
the period of former Berisha government due to failure to pay contracts concluded mainly on
public works during the three year period 2011-2013. The business suffered liquidity
stagnation as a result of not paying the invoices and it was forced to continue its works on
public works already commenced by taking credits from a bank or loans from other entities.
This created a network of debts in the economy resulting in the decrease of money in
circulation. Facing a financial difficulty, many companies could not repay their credits to
banks. Accordingly, the indicator of problematic credits was raised significantly by reaching
according to the data of Bank Association a record of 24.4% by the end of 2013.
Considering this economic stagnation and also the difficult situation of the businesses, as the
main contributor of economic growth by 80% and the main producer of employment, the
actual government stood firm on its promise about repayment of obligations.
Fact: According to the government, the total amount of debts to business amounts to 72.6
billion ALL. In order to certify this figure, the government contracted in October 2013, the
Deloitte Company to assess the debts which in turn was paid 85 thousand euros. In the budget
of 2014 adopted by the parliament in December 2013, it was provided an amount of 35 billion
ALL about the repayment of obligations to entrepreneurship. In February 2014, by Decision of
the Council of Ministers no. 50, dated 5.02.2014, the government adopted the Strategy of
Repaying Overdue Obligations and also the action plan to business and individuals. The
strategy provided the repayment of these obligations within a three year period, starting from
2014. For the next year, the budget of 2015 provided for repayment of obligations to business
an amount of 20 billion ALL or 15 billion ALL less than the amount planned in the budget of
2014.
On the frame of the strategy, based on the official data of the Ministry of Finance until July 29,
2014 about 30 billion ALL of outstanding obligations have been allocated according to the
following categories: (i) public investments (9.5 billion ALL, were allocated), (ii) current
spending on goods, services and other categories (about 6.7 billion ALL were allocated), VAT’s
reimbursement (13.5 billion ALL were allocated) and in the energy sector about 4.4 billion
ALL. By calculating even the obligations paid in December 2013 to disabled persons where
about 2 billion ALL were paid back and also 3 billion ALL for the road infrastructure sector,
the total amount of inherited debts allocated so far goes up to almost 35 billion ALL.
Concerning VAT reimbursement, after the collaboration with the General Taxation Directorate,
the Ministry of Finance has announced the list of entities subject to obligations which belongs
to the period till December 31, 2013; for these entities it allocated about 13.5 billion ALL.
The activity about repaying outstanding obligations on the “public investment” has proceeded
since 2012 and now it is continuing with the repayment of 2013’s outstanding obligations. As
to the repayment of outstanding obligations on “current expenditures”, actually outstanding
obligations in the health sector have been taken under consideration and repayment of

obligations regarding other sectors is under way. In the “other” category, are proceeded
outstanding obligations about court decisions and expropriation.
It should be observed how the repayment of outstanding obligations will proceed during 2015
and 2016. Taking into consideration that the actual majority considered as its first promise
the repayment of these obligations within the first 9 months, this promise is considered
partially fulfilled.
20. No new debts
Promise: The government has promised that it will not create new outstanding obligations
for the business and that it will repay on time the obligations provided in the contracts with
the business, as well as VAT reimbursement.
Description of the situation: Payment on time of obligations to bussines and the prevention
of creating new debts will lead to a reliable atmosphere between the government and the
private enterprise will enable the business to continue its projects and to meet the fiscal
obligations or those to third parties on time. This will enable the development of economy in
line with the normal cycle and without unpleasant unexpected situations.

Fact: The prevention of recreating outstanding obligations is considered by the government
as important as the repayment of inhereted debts. The Ministry of Finance has drawn an
analysis on the causes of delayed payments and will adopt specific measures to strengthen the
budgetary discipline, especially with respect to the budget planning. These measures require
rigorous implementation of the legal demands by the officials, the authorizing employees. The
statutory sanctions provided on the legal framework in force will be implemeted if there is
any infringement of legal and sublegal provisions. Measures on strengthening the financial
discipline include the acquirement of necessary financing for the experimental year as well as
the next years prior to procurement start. As a necessary control measure, the procurement
register is officially and electronically deposited at the Treasury branch, at the beginning of
each budgetary year as well as every relevant review during the year. In any case, the total
amount of procurements must be equal to or less than the funding approved for the budget
year or for more than one year (multi-year investment contracts).
In addition, it is announced that the Council of Ministers will adopt the multi-year limits of
commitments as part of the midterm budget documents and in the year 2015, these limits
shall be adopted by the Assembly, as part of the annual budget law, following review of the
legal base for the management of the budget system in the Republic of Albania. Regarding this
matter, even the adherence to the commitments will be monitored and controlled through the
Financial Computing System of the government (FCSG). Since January 2014, all procurement
orders for goods, services or investments obtained during the year, except urgent buyings
costing less than 10,000 ALL, should be in compliance with the procurement register
submitted at the Treasury and will be sealed by the district’s treasury branch if there are
budget funds available for the institution, before proceeding pursuant to the public
procurement rules. As for goods, services, for which the tender process has begun before the
strategy entered in force, contracts will be presented at the treasury branch in order to
compare them with funds available.
So far, the government has not created any new debts. It must be observed how the approval
of the legal amendments and the repayment of business obligations will progress. Based on
the recent progress, this promise is considered true/fulfilled/for verification.
21. Reimbursement of VAT is your request, and our reflection is that only
unreimbursed VAT, unliquidated fines and public obligations, lead the flat tax to 22%
of the tax incomes and we shall reconceptualise the whole chain of VAT and there will
be no more delays of the administration to bussines which shall be liquidated on time.
Promise: The present majority promised during the election campaign of June 23, the
solution to the problem for VAT reimbursement of the businesses, which is considered one of
the greatest economic deadlocks in the relation business-tax.
Description of the situation: VAT reimbursement has been an early problem businesses
have faced in Albania especially those who export. Tax Administration did not reimburse on
time the Value Added Tax, which often went up to millions of ALL per entity, by plunging the
latter one into a liquidity crisis. According to the data of Ministry of Finance, at the end of
December 2013, the total value of unreimbursed VAT went up to 78.4 billion ALL.
Fact: Concerning this case, in March this year, the government changed procedures of VAT
reimbursement. Through a directive published in the Official Journal, the Ministry of Finance
specifies that “VAT reimbursement should be directly conducted from the Treasury system,

whereas until now it was conducted from tax bodies. The directive also defined the terms
when the reimbursement should be made. Districts’ tax branches, within 2 working days since
the conclusion of the process for the verification of reimbursement requirements, delivers the
announcement for each Treasury branch respectively through the postal service. The
responsible structure of the Treasury in the center takes precautions to ensure the necessary
liquidity for paying the reimbursement amount by the Regional Tax Office within 30 days
from the date of presenting the request for reimbursement for exporters and within 60 days
from the date of presenting the request for reimbursement for other taxable people.
Another initiative, undertaken by the government in order to facilitate this process even
more, is VAT reimbursement according to risk analysis. This is provided in the draft law “On
tax procedures”, as adopted by the Parliamentary Commission of Economy and is expected, to
enter soon on the agenda for discussion and approval in plenary session.
The risk analysis provides that VAT reimbursement be conducted automatically and without
control for those businesses with a good history of relations with taxes and result to be
correct in paying their tax obligations. Therefore, it is aimed at eliminating bureaucracy and
minimizing time in conducting the reimbursement process as well as stimulating business to
create a regular profile in their relation with the tax administration. In the draft law “On tax
procedures”, it is also specified that VAT reimbursement period for exporters should be
reduced from the current 90 days to 60 days due to the specificities of this sector.
It must be observed how this draft law will be implementedd in practice. Based on the
changes accomplished by now, this promise is considered immeasurable.
22. Products “Made in Albania”. We want that condition and standards to be
European ones. Together we shall immediately identify the fiscal barriers delaying
exports and we shall eliminate all the taxes on import
Promise: The government has announced as one of her priorities the creation of “Made in
Albania” products, as a menas to create the Albanian brand and to stimulate the
competitiveness of the Albanian economy.
Description of the situation: Our economy suffers from the lack of Albanian brands or
products “Made in Albania”. Only a few companies carry out the whole production cycle in the
country, by ensuring even the selling markets. What is strongly developed in Albania is the
fason industry, where businesses import raw material and produce their products there,
especially textiles and shoes according to the models order by the contractor and after this,
they export them. The flourishing of the fason industry in Albania is correlated with the
exploitation of the cheap labor force in our country. According to the data of the Institute of
Statistics, exports of the textile and shoes group reached the value of 72.4 billion ALL for the
period January-October 2014, by marking a rise of 25.5% compared with the same period of
one year ago. The former period resulted in 34% of the total amount of Albanian exports.
Fact: The government has announced as its own priority the transition from the fason
production towards the closed cycle, or in other words, the creation of “Made in Albania”
products. To support this industry, the government adopted in April 2014 the package of
measures in support of the fason sector, drawn up by the Ministry of Economic Development,
Trade and Entrepreneurship. The package concerning fasons provides 32 measures. Most of
them provide the reduction of administrative bureaucracy. Among the main measures are:

The Decision of the Council of Ministers on the reduction of the land’s price for rent up to 1
euro and which is an initiative which will influence the budget of 24 million ALL.
The solution to the problem about the technological wastes through the approval of the new
Guideline on January 2014 and which will enable the reduction of the administrative cost and
also of the time for businesses.
The reduction of the deadlines on VAT reimbursement within 30 days in the case of exporting
taxpayers.
The simplification of the procedures at the Labor Office and stimulation to the insurance
companies created by the Ministry of Youth and Social Welfare through approval of
amendments of four CMD and also the creation of the online portal about application from
entities.
Arben Ahmetaj, the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Entrepreneurship, stated
on November 5, 2014 at a plenary session of the parliament that out of 32 undertaken
measures about the fason industry, 23 of them have been implemented by far. Among them,
there are 14 legal acts and government decisions.
Furthermore, during this year the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and
Entrepreneurship has provided 3 programs worth 36 million ALL, including the Competition
Fund, Innovation Fund and that of Creative Industry, which also aim at developing “Made in
Albania” products.
In the 2015 budget, the government has provided an amount of 2.5 million dollars as a
support for the fason sector. Following the supportive package of measures about the fason
sector, the government will approve a similar package about the agricultural sector, again
intented to promote also “Made in Albanian” products.
In order to facilitate trade exchanges, on November 24, the Ministry of Finance and the
General Directorate of Customs presented the draft law of Simplified Procedures, where are
provided some measures, such as the arrival of the goods directly in the facilities of the
Economic Operator, without needing to carry out formalities in an internal customs office and
their release in these facilities. It also includes accomplishment of the whole procedure of the
goods exportation within the same facilities of the Economic Operator; and that the storage
cost shall be reduced to 0 (zero) etc.
It should be observed how the implementation of the measures about the fason sector and
those for facilitating trade will progress. Based on the current progress, this promise is
considered partially fulfilled /for verification
23. “Fight against organised crime and trafficking of narcotic substances”
Promise: During the parliamentary electoral campaign of 2013, order and restoration of
security in the country were among the main promises of the socialists’ electoral program.
The alarming numbers of the internationals, especially those of U.S State Department
concerning human trafficking, were a main factor in prompting the socialists to consider the
fight against crime and mafia as a “national emergency”. This was described even in the first
parliamentary plenary session on September 14, 2013 by Saimir Tahiri, the Minister of

Interior.
Facts: Operation “End to Madness”
On October 15, 2013, the State Policy began for the first time an operation all over the country
related to the blocking of gambling machines. 6 thousand police forces were dispatched in the
field based on the argument that illegal entrepreneurship, which provided money to the world
of crime should be removed from market. During only the first 5 hours of the operation were
blocked 540 facilities supplying gambling machines that did not possess regular
documentation and avoided tax obligations. At the end of this operation, which according to
the State Policy was concluded on December 31, 2013, it resulted that among other things,
over 3700 gambling machines’ equipment were confiscated. Also, based on the Police data,
the amount of taxes unpaid by gambling machines’ businesses reached about 110 million
dollars per year.
Operation in Lazarat: After more than 20 years of resistance against the State Policy, the
internationally famous village about the cultivation and trade of narcotic substances became
part of a massive operation which commenced on June 16, 2014. 800 police forces were
involved in the operation. According to the final data of the State Policy, during the successive
days of this operation were destroyed around 133.567 narcotic plants and was also
confiscated an amount of 71.087 tons of cannabis sativa. Furthermore, during these
inspections were found 5 laboratories 2 of which served for processing narcotic plants and
the 3 others for processing cannabis oil. In the operation which lasted more than 5 days were
also confiscated guns, C4 (explosive) and gambling machines.
Operation in Dukagjin: After the operation in Lazarat, during August 2014, the State Policy
started another operation about the identification and destruction of narcotic plants’ parcels
in Dukagjin, Shkodër. In the end, during the 8 days of the police operation there were
discovered 313 parcels and were destroyed 136.468 narcotic plants.
Fight against human trafficking: In a recent television interview (October 2014) of the
Internal Affairs deputy/minister, Elona Gjebrea, during the period September 2013-October
2014, it was stated that in Albania were found 88 trafficking victims for the purpose of sexual
exploitation. According to Mrs. Elona Gjebrea, in the latest report of U.S Department of State,
Albania is described as a country of source and destination, but not as a transit one of human
trafficking. Hence, it is not on the observation list anymore, but it has ascended to a higher
category.
Conclusions: In the progress report that the EU ambassador in Tirana, Romana Vlahutin,
handed to the Albanian government in October 8, 2014, among others, was emphasized that
“the Government has shown a strong will in the fight against organized crime, especially in the
fight against narcotic substances, economic crime and human trafficking”. Actually, this
progress report was the epilogue of receiving the candidate status for EU membership, which
came immediately after the operation in Lazarat. The government intervention in Lazarat is a
fulfilled promise, thus giving it the right to declare that it has reestablished the State Police on
duty. However, it must also be emphasized that the successful operation, appeared after a
difficult period related to the order situation, after the frequent explosions by C4 (explosive)
as well as after the debate initially political about narcotic substances trafficking by air. This
debate culminated on May 10, 2014, with the fall of an airplane in Divjakë transporting drug.
This promise is considered partially fulfilled /for verification.

24. Education Reform
Promise: During the electoral campaign for the elections of June 23, in some meeting held in
different Albanian areas, the Prime Minister Edi Rama, emphasized the need for an urgent
improvement of the education system in Albania. Some of the interventions that Rama
promised are related to the change of law regarding higher education, state graduation
reform subject to fair competition and meritocracy, schools as community centers and the
closing of universities that do not fulfil the relevant criteria.
The State Graduation will be reformed for the purpose of meritocracy:
Prime Minister Edi Rma declared in one of his first conferences as the head of the new
government that the State Graduation reform was necessary. The statements made by the end
of 2013, were intensified at the beginning of 2014 when the Prime Minister and the Minister
of Education, Mrs.Lindita Nikolla stated that “we need to grant more credit to meritocracy and
to create more space for the competitors. By granting more credit to meritocracy we will be
more successful, not only individually, not only for you, but also for others, who in a
motivating system are much closer to success than failure. Our current system is one which
does not motivate success and hides failure. One who receives the highest grade is not
satisfied either with himself or with the surrounding environment and one who has failed
does not know he has already failed”.
Facts: On April 2014, after the online registration of the State Graduation, the Ministry of
Education stated that it had increased the passing threshold. In other words, in State
Graduation tests, students had to take 10 points which is 20% in order to pass. Meanwhile,
the evaluation of the average grade for the 3 year period in the State Graduation was changed
from 20% to 26%. For 2013-2014 SG comprised around 14.350 State Graduation students.
In conclusion of the exams, the Education Ministry, declared that for the first time the State
Graduation was well managed. According to the minister, Lindita Nikolla, the increase of the
passing threshold resulted in public universities with a better quality of the students in the
new academic year than in the previous academic year.
On November 24, 2014, the Ministry of Education and Sport, presented a public report of
2013-2014 State Graduation. Considering it a scientific study, Mrs. Lindita Nikolla stated that
this public report served as an indicator for the reform and also for the need of a unique test.
For the first time, in this study were presented numbers related to the results according to the
country’s District, or to the optional subjects which brought good results and those which
caused problems for graduated pupils.
The closing of the private universities that do not fulfil the relevant criteria:
In March 2014, in implementation of the Order no. 106, 03.28.2014 of the Minister of
Education and Sport “On checking the application of law in public and private institution of
higher education”, the Department for Supervising Implementation of the Legislation in
Higher Education, near ISHA, was engaged in the process of inspecting 59 higher education
institutions exercising their academic activities in the territory of the Republic of Albania.
The inspection carried out by AME in April 2014 resulted in:
 18 higher privat education institutions having their licenses revoked;

 13 higher private education institutions having suspended their activity until fulfilling
the respective recommendations;
 7 branches of public education institutions which failed to guarantee a good service in
higher education, having their license revoked;
Schools as community centers:
At the beginning of the Socialist Party mandate, in November 2013, the Ministry of Education
and Sport, introduced the new concept about Albanian schools which was “schools as
community centers”. This new innovative concept for Albania, is intended to transform the
school environment into a dynamic, recreational, progressive space for youngsters, a space of
new collaboration between teachers, families and community.
The project “School as a Community Center” has now been implemented in 66 schools
throughout the country, following more than 1 year since the launching of the initiative.
Drafting a new law on Higher Education:
In January 2014, was set up the Commission on the Reform of Higher Education which was
proposed by Minister of Education and Sport. Tthe most important purpose of this
commission was drafting of proposals on legal amendments and the consultations with the
interest groups and other actors of the academic world to receive their suggestions and
opinions.
In April 2014, the commission released its first report on suggestions about legal
amendments, suggestions which were immediately opposed by the University of Tirana and
UT students. The official attitude of UT students was pretty clear; the proposed draft does not
fulfil the demands about a complete reform of higher education and scientific research. The
draft must necessarily represent the proposals of the interest groups. Some of the items which
failed to reach an agreement with UT are related to the model of financing, the integration of
the boards into the universities’ structures, the way of admitting new students as well as the
increase of the tuition fee. These were among the items which were not welcomed by the
managing staff of 16 higher education public institutions.
Conclusion
The policies and legal amendments undertaken by the government during this 1 year and a
half of governance on the framework of improving the educational system in Albania can be
considered positive, but not adequate to solve the qualitative and structural problem carried
out for years. Discussions concerning the new law about education are expected to reopen in
January 2015. This would be a good opportunity for the interest groups to advocate and lobby
for designing a stable and qualitative law. Considering the facts mentioned above, it results
that some of the policies are under implementation, whereas some others are expected to be
implemented. Thus, this promise is considered partially fulfilled /for verification.
25. We will create 300 thousand new jobs.
Promise: One of the main promises of the actual majority was creation of 300 thousand new
job positions within the first governance mandate. The Socialist Party promised that the main
sectors due to offer new job positions were: agriculture, fasons and tourism.

Truthmeter – 365 days of governance - MJAFT

Truthmeter – 365 days of governance - MJAFT

Empfohlen

Empfohlen

Weitere ähnliche Inhalte

Was ist angesagt?

Was ist angesagt? (15)

Andere mochten auch

Andere mochten auch (7)

Ähnlich wie Truthmeter – 365 days of governance - MJAFT

Ähnlich wie Truthmeter – 365 days of governance - MJAFT (20)

Mehr von Lincoln Centers of Albania

Mehr von Lincoln Centers of Albania (16)

Kürzlich hochgeladen

Kürzlich hochgeladen (13)

Truthmeter – 365 days of governance - MJAFT