Brussels, 13/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 12 November, the European Commission announced financial aid of €81 million to support reform in Albania. The financial support will be used for reform of the judiciary and police, reform of public administration, and the fight against corruption. Funding will also contribute to building the new court house in Tirana and to the restructuring of two crossing points. Better management and financial control systems will be set in place for the local and national authorities to improve the efficiency of tax inspection. European aid will also allow transport infrastructure to be improved, with the rebuilding of the Rrogozhina bypass, modernisation of water and sanitation systems, and the setting up of a range of social inclusiveness services.
The €81 million come from the 2012 annual programme for Albania under the European Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), and will be topped up with €15 million jointly funded by the Albanian authorities. (CG/transl.jl)