OSCE Presence fosters consultation process on modernizing Albania's civil registration system

TIRANA, 19 February 2008 - Modernizing the Albanian civil registration system, including the civil status services, the printing of certificates, and creating voter lists, and the needs of future users of the civil registry were discussed at a workshop in Tirana today.

The event was organized by Albanian Interior Ministry and the OSCE Presence.

"The modernization of the civil registration system is a complex task. In order to ensure that all aspects are taken into account, it is important that there is a sufficient consultation with the future users of the system. Information-sharing is the key to guarantee the best outcome of this process," said Ambassador Robert Bosch, the Head of the OSCE Presence.

The workshop provided participants with a better insight on how the civil registration system will look in the future, including up-coming provisions of a computer-based system. It also gave the Interior Ministry a better understanding of the needs of potential users and the necessary system requirements. Both elements are key in the process of creating a proper civil registration system.

Albanian Interior Minister, Bujar Nishani, and the Head of the European Commission Delegation in Albania, Helmuth Lohan, spoke at the event.

The OSCE Presence is helping to modernise the civil registration systems under an EC-funded project.