United States Department of State
Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia
Foreign Operations Assistance Fact Sheet, August 2016*

U.S. assistance supports Albania on its path to European Union (EU) membership by strengthening the country’s justice sector, improving local governance, and developing civil society’s capacity to fulfill its watchdog function. U.S. assistance also builds the capacity of Albania’s security and law enforcement agencies to address the needs of Albanian citizens. The United States continues to develop Albania as a fully integrated North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partner. Through regional funding, the United States aims to improve the conditions needed for broad-based and sustainable economic growth.

Assistance Activities by U.S. Foreign Policy Goals in Albania

Strengthen Rule of Law and Improved Governance.

• U.S. assistance has supported Albania’s recent Constitutional amendments reforming its justice system, which will require vetting of judges and prosecutors, the creation of an independent anti-corruption prosecutor, court, and investigators, and other significant changes. U.S. assistance will support Albania as it implements these changes, including vetting monitoring, training of the anti-corruption prosecutors and investigators, and assistance in establishing other structures.

• U.S. assistance supports Albania’s efforts to improve governance by decentralizing legislation and moving to a central-local dialogue on policy issues. The United States works at the local level to improve local government’s capacity to provide citizens with a voice in government and to provide key public services.

• U.S. justice sector assistance improves case management and reduces delays in Albania’s courts through the introduction of active case management techniques. U.S.-funding also supports investigative journalism and a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) to bring citizens’ concerns to the attention of the judiciary and policymakers.

• U.S. assistance works to increase Albania’s capacity to deal with complex crimes, organized crime, and corruption. U.S.-funded programs help civil society increase public demand for the rule of law, raise public awareness about corruption, and prepare law enforcement to meet citizens’ demands.

• U.S. security assistance strengthens Albania’s security sector’s engagement with citizens to provide transparency and deter criminal behavior.

Create Strong and Independent NGOs and Media.

• U.S. assistance supports small grants, civic education, speakers, public opinion research, and media training. U.S.-funded programs also build NGOs’ capacity to address anti-corruption, human and minority rights, and government accountability.

Support Albania’s Efforts to Act as a Contributor to a Stable and Secure Region.

• U.S. assistance supports Albania’s efforts to revise the legal and regulatory basis for its strategic trade control system to ensure that it meets international standards.

• U.S. security funding helps prepare, train, and commission Albania’s security personnel.

• U.S. assistance continues to develop Albania as a fully integrated NATO partner.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
State Department Fact Sheets
U.S. Embassy Website
www.foreignassistance.gov
Millennium Challenge Corporation

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