United States Department of State
Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia
Foreign Operations Assistance Fact Sheet, June 2013*

The primary goal of U.S. assistance to Albania is to foster a democratic and stable partner that is fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community: a country which adheres to the rule of law; sustains broad economic growth; and which contributes to the shared security of its NATO allies. To achieve this goal, U.S. assistance promotes the rule of law through the strengthening of the justice sector, supporting good governance and the establishment of democratic institutions; strengthening the capacity of Albania’s security forces and law enforcement agencies to contribute to international security and domestic stability; and establishing and improving conditions for broad-based and sustainable economic growth.

Assistance Activities by Objective

Strengthened capacity of Albania’s security forces and law enforcement agencies to contribute to international security and domestic stability

• U.S. defense training and equipment assists the Albanian Armed Forces (AAF) to meet NATO commitments, helping to transform the AAF into a deployable, NATO-interoperable force so that it can continue to participate in coalition operations.

• In the area of rule of law, U.S. technical assistance and training improves the organization and professional standards of law enforcement staff and structures, specifically in the areas of combating transnational and organized crime and corruption, including trafficking in persons, combating terrorism, and cutting sources of terrorist financing.

• U.S. training and equipment allows Albania to develop the capacity of its border forces to secure its land, air, and water borders and support the development of an effective strategic trade control system that meets international requirements. In addition, U.S. technical experts are helping Albania to complete the remediation of unexploded ordnance.

Improved rule of law through a strengthened justice sector, better governance and the establishment of democratic institutions

• U.S. assistance funds training to build the capacity of prosecutors, promotes cooperation between prosecutors and police, assists in reforming criminal procedure legislation and the Constitution, and improves legal education and mediation services. Our assistance is also providing equipment to implement information and communication technology solutions to increase transparency and accountability in the justice sector.

• U.S. technical assistance is helping the central government to implement decentralization legislation, and policy and planning reforms, while helping municipal governments dialogue effectively with the national government, increase public revenue, plan more effectively, and provide quality services to citizens. U.S. assistance is also working to establish a more effective and expanded watchdog role for civil-society organizations and media.

Improving conditions for broad-based and sustainable economic growth

• U.S. assistance is providing training and technical assistance to Albanian entrepreneurs to improve management practices, develop marketing strategies for attracting investment, complying with international regulatory standards, and introducing Albanian goods to new markets.

• Through a Development Credit Authority (DCA), U.S. assistance is providing partial loan guarantees, thereby expanding access to credit for under-banked farmers and agribusinesses.

• Lastly, U.S. assistance programs provide technical assistance to the Bank of Albania to implement a risk-based supervisory framework for insurance, as well as support the Bank of Albania to improve credit, liquidity, market, and operational risk management.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Coordinator's Office Annual Reports
U.S. Embassy Website
www.foreignassistance.gov
Millennium Challenge Corporation

*This fact sheet does not reflect Peace Corps funding or centrally managed or regional Foreign Operations funding that is not specifically budgeted for Albania.