This publication was supported by: Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Tirana Office), Hanns Seidel Foundation (Tirana Office) and Friedrich Ebert Foundation, (Tirana Office).

The main objectives of the publication “The Berlin Process 2014-2018” are twofold: to continue to build the body of knowledge on this initiative, to analyze its features and actions implemented under “its roof”, and: to provide additional data on its interaction with Enlargement, and on its contribution to regional cooperation in WB6. The state of advancement of the connectivity infrastructure projects will be analyzed as well.

The report contains:
• an assessment of the scope of the Berlin Process as reflected in the Final Declarations of the Chair in Western Balkans Summits in Berlin, Vienna, Paris, Trieste, and information about the upcoming London event;
• evaluation of interrelation of the Berlin Process permanent areas (connectivity and regional cooperation), with Enlargement process as expressed in the Enlargement strategies 2013- 2018 and in the EU funding through IPA Multilateral and IPA National;
• up-to-date information on the Connectivity Agenda, including state-of-affairs of connectivity projects NSPP of the Western Balkans 6, and progress made on the Economic Reform Programs and Regional Economic Area;
• WB6 regional cooperation achievements including people-to-people (P2P) connectivity, high level political cooperation, government-to-government (G2G), youth exchange (RYCO), Civil Society Forums, and Science Cooperation;
• debates spurred by Berlin process such as on the WB6 growth model, regionalization of enlargement, politisation of Enlargement, relations with Eastern connectivity, etc.

Tags: Berlin Process, Connectivity Agenda, European Union, Institutional Governance, Western Balkans

An increasing involvement of Member States in the EU Accession process is the new defining trait of Enlargement. Member states are focused in the progress of reforms and actively engaged in setting benchmarks, monitoring their progress and providing technical assistance on the ground. The latest Enlargement methodology published in February 2020 has officialized this trend. But while the EU Commission applies its chapter-based methodology, Member States have a tendency to focus on the progress of reforms, to include a high degree of political conditionality, and to apply the conditionality before the official opening of Accession Negotiations as in the case of Albania and North Macedonia.

This development brings to the fore the importance of the implementation of the acquis (vs. the adoption) and the functioning of reformed local institutions (vs. the institution building). Aiming to avoid any backsliding, EU has included the “Rule of Law” and “Functioning of Democratic Institutions” in the Cluster of Fundamentals, acknowledging the necessity of higher scrutiny during the implementation phase and on the good governance component.

The next challenge remains the design and implementation of the respective roadmap for the Rule of Law and for Functioning of Democratic Institutions. In that regards, Justice Reform in Albania provides a unique experience where Enlargement is intertwined with the country institutional reforms, and where EU Member States have taken a leading role in the scrutiny of the progress towards EU membership

Tags: European Union , Western Balkans , EU integration, Reforms

To be implemented successfully in the Western Balkans countries (WB6), Large Regional Infrastructure Projects (LIPs) should be self-contained, backed-up politically, and with minimum interference from public authorities. Being self-contained involves having in-house the technical expertise and the initial financing to cover the planning phase, and possessing a granular understanding of the legal and institutional context of the host country. Political back-up – international and local – is crucial to successfully navigate the international geo-political scene, to by-pass the challenges posed by the incomplete legal and procedural framework during the construction and operations phase, and to secure the necessary leverage for efficiently pressuring all the levels of national and local administration that deal with LIPs.

We believe the study brings an innovative perspective on the local institution governance, or the local “institutional black box” that directly impacts an LIP cycle. This research brings those two elements to the attention of policy makers and International Finance Institutions (IFIs).

This report also aims to provide a detailed insight on the interaction dynamics, benefits and risk distribution between the host country and the IFI, bilateral donor or private investor on all the project life-cycle from design to post-construction. Wherever relevant, comparisons have been drawn with Connectivity Agenda (CA) projects. Finally, we have planned the publication of this report in the view of the ongoing preparation of the Growth and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. We believe this document provides original, context-based and applicable insights that can eventually contribute in the planning, implementation and the operation phases of the Connectivity Agenda projects.

Tags: Connectivity Agenda, Institutional Governance, Local Development, Trans Adriatic Pipeline – TAP

In the first part  of this report we analyze the financing of connectivity infrastructure projects, the capacity of the South East Europe Six (SEE6) administration to design, implement and operate those projects, and finally the way those very large projects impact the SEE6’s own institutional framework. This part corresponds to the traditional yearly publication of the Berlin Process Series that CDI produces since 2016.

In the second part we have included the redacted versions of presentations of keynote speakers, policy-makers and other strategic stakeholders present in Tirana Connectivity Forum 2019 (TCF19). This part provides a much-needed vantage point on the practical implications of the analysis and concepts we develop. We have complemented these presentations with the main take-away points from the TCF19, as well as with a more detailed section on the conclusions of each of the five panels.

Moreover this publication is complemented by an in-depth study of the most recent and biggest energy infrastructure project that connects a SEE6 country with EU: the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, otherwise known as TAP. This was initially conceived as a stand-alone document. But during our research we decided to use it as a “case study” for the Connectivity Agenda in order to illustrate the theoretical findings with practical real-life situations.

This edition sets out to provide concrete and actionable proposals on the way that large connectivity infrastructure projects address the SEE6’s “structural weaknesses” and contribute to their convergence with the EU. From this angle we focus on good governance and on political will.

The latest online publications of the Western Balkans Investment Framework have provided an excellent opportunity for us to look at the inner workings of the blending facility. Unfortunately we could not consult the 2020 Connectivity Networks Gap Analysis Update that came out while our report was being published.

Methodology-wise, we double down on the concept of multi-dimensional connectivity as defined by the World Bank, and develop it further to also include the institutional linkages amongst SEE6 and EU structures and their cooperation dynamics.

Connectivity in the SEE6 is seen through the Enlargement optic and in function of the EU Accession Negotiations. Wherever possible we have used comparable non-EU connectivity initiatives and models that are under way in the SEE6.

The context-based approach gives to this publication its original Balkans flavor. We have chosen to deal with the impact of Covid19 pandemics on connectivity in the forthcoming 2021 Tirana Connectivity Form edition.

Lastly, we have decided to replace the term Western Balkans Six with the much less charged South East European Six or SEE6.

Tags: Berlin Process, Connectivity Agenda, European Union, Institutional Governance, Western Balkans, Structural Weaknesses

Harmonization of timelines, comprehensive and long-term planning, availability of resources, and choice of right partners, condition the relationship between Reforms and Enlargement.

While the reforms in SEE6 are advancing, gradually they are becoming an integral part of the conditionality checklists put by EU. The existing conditions are becoming more detailed, new ones focused on measurable impact are added, and their scope is enlarged to include “fundamentals” such as democratisation, human rights and the rule of law. Their monitoring and certification is extended in time. The role of Member States in the Enlargement has increased through the monitoring on the ground, reporting and intervention by means of assistance in selected sectors

The relationship between Reforms and Enlargement is complex. If not planned carefully, it may result in Catch22 situations. Dilemmas appear and choices must be made when harmonizing the high complexity, deep societal changes, enormous resources and long-time perspective that the reforms need, with the pace of progress that a formal, highly normative and meticulously-planned process such as Enlargement requires. The first Catch22 situation may result in the scenario where the Enlargement progress is conditioned by the impact of reforms, while the Reforms cannot progress without the support of the mechanisms and resources provided by the Enlargement.

The second Catch22 situation relates to the fact that one cannot reform captured institutions without a critical mass of local political will in support of those institutional changes. But often this means asking the illegitimate actors that profit from the system, to help bring down the very system they are profiting from.

Notwithstanding its imperfections, the Justice reform in Albania constitutes a huge advancement in the establishment of a functional democracy in a post-communist country. Being the first reform of such depth and scope in the SEE6, its represents a test case for exposing the systemic importance of the design phase, the need to embed any system change on the socio-cultural and economic base of the local society, the importance of planning in the long-term perspective and with the required resources, and the value of well selecting the reform partners to carry such changes.

From a Reform Frontrunner Albania now should aim to be an Enlargement frontrunner. The success of such an endeavor will test the working hypothesis of irreversibility of democratic reforms in the SEE6, as well as the suitability of EU instruments supporting those reforms.

Tags: Albania, EU accession , Reforms, Enlargement, Balkans, Rule of Law

Once set up or reformed, the Justice institutions of the six South-East European countries (SEE6) must function efficiently and produce qualitative and effective outputs without permanent external assistance. To be sustainable, new structures must be well governed. To be resilient, they should plan for the long term, taking into account the availability of local resources, and carrying out regular risk-management exercises. Good governance features of effectiveness, efficiency, transparency, accountability, predictability, sound financial management and integrity compliance must be embodied into their architecture and functioning mechanisms.

In the case of justice reform in Albania, good governance of new institutions implies designing organisational structures that are fit for purpose, and attributing the appropriate budgets, logistics and systems needed for the effective fulfilment of their mandates. It involves making sure that responsibilities and tasks are clearly assigned and that staff are motivated and have the competences required to carry out their duties with the highest degree of integrity and professionalism.

By applying an ‘appreciative inquiry’ approach, this policy study identifies and assesses features of Albania’s new structures and institutions that belong to the positive core of justice sector reform: vision, values, key competences, basic infrastructure, embedded knowledge, learning processes, organizational achievements, technical and financial assets and resources, positive macro trends, and strength of partners. In a constructive, yet critical way, this report aspires to embolden those (f)actors that drive justice sector reform in the SEE6 forward.

This policy study was prepared by Mr. Steven Blockmans, Director of Research, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Brussels and Mr. Ardian Hackaj, Director of Research, Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI), Tirana. It follows the previous study “EU ENLARGEMENT IN SEE6 AND COUNTRY REFORMS: THE JUSTICE REFORM IN ALBANIA AS A CASE STUDY”.

Click here to read the report in Albanian language.

*This policy study is prepared and published in the framework of the project “Preparing and Supporting Albania for the EU Accession Process – ALBE”, implemented by Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI) and supported by the Dutch Embassy in Tirana.

Tags: Albania, Justice Reform, EU accession , Enlargement, Resilience, Rule of Law, Appreciative Inquiry

In October 2019, the 5^th Tirana Connectivity Forum ended with a roundtable where a dozen participants gathered to discuss what we had learned from two intensive days of talk. The debate focused on connectivity’s contribution to SEE6 growth and on the hindering factors. Infrastructure financing, quality of institutional framework, political will, short-term vs. long-term perspective and availability of human resources were among the factors identified as conditioning the impact of connectivity on growth.

The creation of a methodological framework that links the local infrastructure, domestic institutions and the people, allows us to understand the dynamics and complexity of sustainable and resilient development paths, as well as identifying entry points for SEE6 and EU policy-makers.

While studying the interaction between connectivity and the development of a territory, three systemic elements appear. First is “space”, as defined by the endowment of the territory in production capability and in connective infrastructure (transport, energy and data). Second is the local “institutions” which in a simplified definition would be the “structures and mechanisms of social order and cooperation governing the behavior of a set of individuals” materialized in the array of both public and privately owned organizations. The third element is the local “people”. As workforce they are a key factor to growth while as citizens they keep local institutions accountable and efficient.

In a schematic presentation we group those three elements in a triangle where space, people and institutions permanently interact and impact each other. In the next challenge we try to identify actions that induce a “Pareto improvement” in the space-institutions-people system in the long term: i.e., a positive improvement in one node without negatively impacting the rest of the triangle. In this picture, we also bring in “other triangles” in the form of third actors such as China, Russia or Turkey to illustrate other forms of interaction and impact with SEE6 space, people and institutions.

By deconstructing space, people and institutions in the SEE6 and putting them in one system, we underline their inherent interconnectedness. By analyzing their links and the multitude of actors involved, we shed light on the complexity of each decision-making process aiming to impact them. By bringing in an analysis of availability and suitability of resources we point out the efficiency and sustainability of any change dynamics.

Our aim is to argue that to be sustainable, virtuous and resilient, the development scenario chosen to sustain the convergence dynamic towards the EU must happen in all three nodes of the SEE6 triangle.

Tags: Berlin Process, Connectivity, Convergence, Tirana Connectivity Forum, Good governance, SEE6, EU Membership, Development.