30/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 26 June 2008, Albania joined the EU Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) which the European Commission uses to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and growth in SMEs. The CIP runs from 2007 to 2013 and has a budget of €3.6 billion. It is divided into three sections - an innovation and entrepreneurship section, a strategic support section for IT and communication, and the Intelligent Energy for Europe programme. (E.H./transl.fl)