OSCE Presence in Albania

According to the updated mandate of the OSCE Presence in Albania, approved by the OSCE Permanent Council on 18 December 2003, the overall goal of the Presence is to promote democratization, the rule of law and human rights, as well as to consolidate democratic institutions in conformity with OSCE principles, standards and commitments.

In carrying out its overall goal, the Presence focuses particularly on:

• Legislative and judicial reform, including property reform;
• Regional administrative reform (the process of amalgamating local government units);
• Electoral reform;
• Parliamentary capacity-building;
• Anti-trafficking and anti-corruption policies, including support to the implementation of relevant national strategies;
• Development of effective laws and regulations on the independent media and its code of conduct;
• Promotion of good governance and management of targeted projects to strengthen civil society;
• Police assistance, in particular training of border police, within a co-ordinated framework with other international actors in the field.

To accomplish these tasks, the Presence provides assistance and expertise to the Albanian authorities and representatives of civil society, in close consultation and co-operation with the Government of Albania and other state institutions and organizations. This assistance aims to achieve full conformity with relevant international standards and OSCE principles, norms and commitments. In carrying out its tasks, the Presence co-operates with the OSCE institutions. It also co-operates with other international organizations and institutions operating in Albania, to ensure maximum effectiveness and to avoid duplication.

The Presence reports on progress in the country, as well as on the implementation of its mandate. There is an annual review and assessment of the implementation of the mandate. Prolongation of the mandate is subject to a decision of the OSCE Permanent Council.