2021

Corridor VIII – East Gate :

Promoting Flagship 1 “Connecting East to West”

Policy Paper

June 8^th, 2021

Cooperation and Development Institute in partnership with European Movement in Serbia organized on June 8^th the Tirana – Belgrade joint hybrid side event in the framework of the Tirana Connectivity Forum 2021 edition. This event is part of the CDI-implemented initiative “Preparing and Supporting Albania for the EU accession process (ALBE)” – a project supported by the Dutch Embassy in Albania and was co-supported by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Serbia. It focused on the factors that support or inhibit the implementation Economic and Investment Plan Flagship Projects, and the role of NGOs in their advancement.

The event kicked off with the welcoming notes by Ms. Krisela Hackaj, Executive Director of Cooperation and Development Institute, and Ms. Jelica Minić, President of the European Movement in Serbia.

The event was further addressed by H.E. Guusje Korthals Altes, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Albania, and Norbert Beckmann-Dierkes, Director of the Serbia/Montenegro Office in Belgrade, Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

The Dutch Ambassador highlighted the space and role of civil society and think tanks in the region has taken since the Sofia Summit in 2020, and the support that the Netherlands provides to reforms. The implementation of the EIP and the 10 Flagships is done better through the engagement of CSOs – the Dutch Ambassador added.

In his remarks, Mr. Beckmann-Dierkes argued about the importance to connect the civil society actors with other political stakeholders and especially institutional actors in order to assist the Western Balkan countries in their EU integration process.

The Head of Cooperation in the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, Mr. Yngve Engstroem, touched upon various subjects of the EIP, such as green energy, digital transition, investment in infrastructural projects in the Western Balkan countries and investments in youth projects.

During this hybrid event, Mr. Christian Hagemann, Deputy Director at the Southeast Europe Association – SOGDE, brought some conclusions from the Civil Society Forum that was organized by SOGDE and ASPEN Institute on 1-2 June in the framework of the Berlin Process. Some of key recommendations relevant to the side-event, include:

• demand their meaningful inclusion in the accession negotiation talks, full transparency of the process and increase the inter-sectoral cooperation;
• closely monitor the reform processes in their respective countries and proactively communicate findings with relevant national and EU institutions on a regular basis;
• establish a dialogue and collaboration with peer organizations from the region to support regional integration and address common challenges in the EU integration process;
• establish direct links with CSOs and think tanks from the EU Member States through building networks and ad-hoc collaborations;
• enhance and promote their activities promoting economic development and preventing the emergence of structures that entrench state capture.

The above recommendations will be shared in the Meeting of Ministers at the Berlin Process, while the whole document from the CSF can be further consulted here.

The first panel, moderated by Ms. Jelica Minic, President of European Movement in Serbia, started with the intervention of Ms. Pranvera Kastrati, Senior Expert on Economic and Digital Connectivity at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). Ms. Kastrati stated that Common Regional Market Plan, encompasses an agenda that sees digitalization as a cross-cutting issue with all the other sectors such as trade, business etc. Ms. Kastrati also referred to the Western Balkans Digital Summit as a Flagship event for the region in improving the interoperability in the region, and the Memorandum of Understanding for the 5G toolbox; the Balkathon as a platform of encouraging youth to be involved in the digital agenda and Data Protection, etc.

“All the Western Balkan countries are preparing their national plans and CSOs are monitoring the process accordingly”, declared Mr. Mirza Kušljugić, Head of Board at the Center for Sustainable Energy Transition (RESET) in Sarajevo. Mr. Kušljugić added that there has to be a synergy between Western Balkan’s CSOs which have the necessary expertise to conduct proper monitoring processes, the industrial actors and state institutions of the Western Balkans in order to complete efficiently the energy transition, and that there should be an assessment of the countries readiness for the transition in this sector.

Ms. Tatjana Jovanovic, Head of Division in charge of Project Preparation and Financing, Transport Community Treaty Permanent Secretariat, stated that the vast majority of the funds provided by the EIP will be focused on investments in the infrastructure sector, but there are lack of capacities in the region regarding project implementation. “Infrastructure projects are very complex, therefore better cycle management is necessary, including preparation, planning, coordination, implementation and operation”- she added.

Focusing on environmental issues, Mr. Aleksandar Macura, Program Director at RES Foundation in Belgrade, underlined the importance to achieve the substantial reduction of pollution levels and the mitigation of the climate change. He highlighted the fact that many commitments have been made regarding the Green Deal, but they have to be accompanied with the necessary structural reforms.

The second panel took place under the moderation of Ms. Albana Rexha, Senior Policy Analyst at Democracy Plus, Kosovo.

Mr. Michael Voegele, Head of Sector, WBIF, DG NEAR, begun his remarks by stating that governance of infrastructure projects take place in many for a, is dynamic, needs to meet ambition where the expertise level is paramount, and implies transparency. An increase of capacities of the public administration of the WB countries that will lead to higher efficiency levels is needed.

Ms. Ana Krstinovska, President, ESTIMA in Skopje, observed that connectivity agenda goevrannce problems are spill-over from general governance problems that characterize the SEE& countries. She illustrated with several examples of poor governance impacting project identification, preparation, tendrering, etc.

Likewise, Mr. Ardian Hackaj, Coordinator of Tirana Connectivity Forum, stated that the EIP and its 10 flagship projects should be used as a channel through which the EU values and principles can be mainstreamed to the institutions of the WB. He concluded, by emphasizing that there should be greater communication and cooperation between the CSOs of the WB region and the EU stakeholders so as to increase the legitimacy of EU funds invested in the region.

The issue of transparency was also touched by Mr. Marko Sošić, Researcher at Institut Alternativa in Montenegro. Ms. Sošić focused on the subject of the authorities that control the investment projects in the case of Montenegro. He added that there are two separate institutional and non-institutional infrastructure project pipelines that operate independently from each other. WBIF website is a rich source of information, but the information requires refreshing, he added.

The event concluded with a summary brief of the key messages from the all speakers presented by Mr. Ardian Hackaj, co-organizer of this hybrid event and the final remarks from Ms. Jelica Minic.

During these discussions, the increase of the role of the Western Balkans’ CSOs through the Berlin Process and the respective projects and initiatives were acknowledged. All speakers agreed that there are several problematic areas that hinder the EU Integration progress of the WB countries, and these issues are imperative to be resolved. EIP and 10 Flagships Project represent an excellent opportunity to mainstream good governance in the SEE6 institutions and to support the reforms.

To consult the agenda, please click here. The discussions are now available in our YouTube Channel.

The Launching Event of the Center of Excellence in Maritime Affairs (CEMA) took place on 27^th May, 2021, at the premises of Durres Port Authority with the participation of Mr. Pirro Vengu, CEO of Durres Port Authority, Ms. Belinda Balluku, Albanian Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Mr. Matej Zakonsjek, Director of Transport Community Secretariat, Ms. Kseanela Sotirofski, Rector of University of Durres and Ms. Krisela Hackaj, Executive Director of Cooperation and Development Institute.

CEMA is a joint initiative of the Port of Durres, of University of Durres and of Cooperation and Development Institute, with the support and guidance of the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat and Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy.

In this framework, the Port of Durres as the biggest port in Albania, serves as the major logistics center in South-East Europe and the gateway to Corridor 8 in the Balkan Peninsula, while the University of Durres pays a strong importance to maritime knowledge and skills. On the other hand, Cooperation and Development Institute is a think tank specialized in EU-Western Balkans connectivity, EU accession and regional cooperation.

This initiative takes place under the necessity for supporting careers, research, innovation & regional cooperation in the maritime industry. As such, CEMA will serve as a training center and capacity building facility for maritime affairs, as well as a meeting point between maritime sector and academia.

CEMA will support the Durres Port Authority and other maritime national and regional partners in the Adriatic-Ionian region in their efforts to promote their initiatives regarding transformation into logistics-centered hubs, enhance their regional footprint as maritime services providers, improve their governance, identify innovative solutions to tackle climate change, support growth and increase resilience.

Finally, CEMA will strive be a regional Innovation Hub in a multi-actor multi-sector framework by providing tailored research and a collaborative platform between state, local government, academia, business, think tanks and other maritime stakeholders in the region.

The launch of CEMA is an associated event of the 7^th edition of Tirana Connectivity Forum organized by CDI.  TCF 2021 will promote the concept of connectivity as a development approach adapted to SEE6, that provides a bottom-up integration complementary dynamic, a multi-actor, ever-changing, net-like, symbiotic, entangled fabric that keeps the region permanently connected with EU and nourishes resilient growth.

Read more about this initiative here.

The official video of the event can be consulted here, while the programme of the launching event can be further consulted here.

19 May 2021

Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI) in partnership with Economic Policy Institute in Sofia and supported by Hanns Seidel Stiftung (Tirana Office) organized on May 19, 2021 an online event on “Corridor 8 – East Gate: Promoting Flagship 1 “Connecting East to West”.

Under the rationale of “Better and profound – connections between EU member states and candidate countries as a basic systemic factor for growth and resilient democratic institutions in Southeast Europe”, its aim was to promote Corridor VIII as an example of regional cooperation in South East Europe contributing to region’s growth and development. It also provided insights with regard to other projects / Flagships, and; ii) its synergies with the Initiative 8.

In the welcoming remarks Mr. Ardian Hackaj, Research Director, Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI) who explained the context of this webinar as a technical platform where Corridor VIII stakeholders from Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Albania, joined by EU Commission can present the state of advancement of the Flagship 1 “Connecting East to West – rail” Initiative of the Economic and Investment Plan. In his address, Dr. Klaus Fiesinger, Regional Director for Southeast Europe of Hanns-Seidel-Foundation highlighted the importance of Corridor VIII in the connectivity between east and west, especially when neighbors are Member Countries

Mr. Yasen Georgiev, Executive Director of Economic Policy Institute in Sofia delivered a presentation on “Bulgaria as the East Gate of Corridor 8”. Regional connectivity should not be limited to classical infrastructure only, but also include transportation, energy and digital links. Backed by a strong economic rationale Bulgarian stakeholder are progressing with Corridor VIII. However, funding sources complementary to the national budgets, such as EU funding, IFS, Recovery and Resilience Facility, Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund, etc., are needed.

Building a multi-modal corridor requires a sound economic rational and stability, stated Mr. Alain Baron, Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), European Commission. Corridor VIII closed the missing rail link in Southern Europe and has an important geostrategic dimension. The 2021 TEN-T review will fully integrate SEE6 into the EU transport infrastructure planning – this is a great opportunity to upgrade C8 into Core network. Mr. Baron finished by underlining the need to plan quality (not only quantity) as well as the clean, resilient and smart features of any future link.

The panel discussion kicked off with the intervention of Ms. Tonka Yancheva, State Expert of the National Transport Policy Directorate of the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications of Bulgaria who explained the strategic importance of Corridor 8 for the transport policy in Bulgaria. Ms. Yancheva provided insights on the state of affairs of different segments in Bulgaria part of Corridor VIII and connecting with North Macedonia and Serbian borders. A deeper cooperation and new levels of partnership are necessary to keep the momentum.

Dr. Hari Lokvenec, Director, Railways of Republic of North Macedonia offered a comprehensive SoA overview of the rail connections in Corridor VIII. He pointed out the ongoing regional cooperation between North Macedonian, Bulgarian and Albanian authorities in the rail sector; the challenges regarding the connecting the Eastern segment from Struga to Albanian border (Lin) and the need to re-design it to take into account the UNESCO protected area requirements, and the very high level involvement and commitment from North Macedonian authorities to progress with this issue in close cooperation with Albanian counterparts.

Ms. Elona Ajazi, Director General of National Development Projects Unit at Prime Minister’s Office in Albania confirmed the intention of Albanian government to design Corridor VIII as a priority axis. But while the political will and economic rational underneath are undeniable, they need to be followed with a high-quality preparation and implementation phase. After shortly presenting the advance of C8 segments in Albania, where the Port of Durres development is one of the main components, Ms. Ajazi underlined the need to establish a Regional Single Project Pipeline with the goal to improve regional cooperation/coordination between countries and accelerate the implementation of regional projects and initiatives”.

During the discussion’s participants articulated the need for coordination between EU Member States and IPA CBC infrastructure planning and financing instruments. Regional structures such as Transport Community Permanent Secretariat, Adriatic-Ionian Strategy or projects such as South Adriatic Connectivity Governance – SAGOV were mentioned as mechanisms that practically contribute to different coordination and cooperation tasks in the regional transport corridors.

The webinar was concluded with the final remarks by Mr. Georgiev, who announced that a policy paper on Corridor VIII will be published soon.

To consult the agenda of this webinar, please click here.

*The presentations delivered during the webinar of can be found here. The event is now available in our YouTube Channel.

2021

CONNECTIVITY AND CONVERGENCE IN SEE6:
A Blueprint for an EU Membership-Based Development Model

Report

Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI) signed a cooperation agreement with “BARLETI” University

20 April 2021

On April 20, 2021, Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI) signed a cooperation agreement with the Department of Governance, Political Science and Communication of “BARLETI” University.

This agreement foresees a close cooperation between the two institutions in organizing open-lectures, conferences, seminars; exchange of professional assistance and expertise as well as the possibility for students to carry out professional internships at CDI. This initiative offers a unique space for a better inclusion of young professionals in first hand public-policy analysis, research, debates and advocacy.

The event was hosted by “BARLETI” University under the representation of the Dean of the Faculty and the Head of Department of Governance, Political Science and Communication Dr. Shpëtim Cami and Prof. Asoc. Dr. Zamira Cavo, Vice Academic Rector, with the participation of CDI’s Executive Director Krisela Hackaj and students from different faculties of the University.

2021

SECURING THE RESILIENCE OF

JUSTICE SECTOR REFORM IN ALBANIA

policy study

2021

Western Balkans’ Plight

is Wake-up Call for Europe

Op-ed

2021

ALBANIA IN THE BERLIN PROCESS: MONITORING THE CONNECTIVITY AGENDA

MOnitoring Report

Adriatic Connectivity Forum – promoting connectivity in South Adriatic Area

17-18 February 2021

The final event of the South Adriatic Governance – SAGOV project took place online on 17-18 February under the theme “The Adriatic Connectivity Forum- promoting connectivity in South Adriatic Area”. The forum was organized by Puglia Region (SAGOV project partner) in partnership with Cooperation and Development Institute (SAGOV Lead Partner) and brought together a high-level cast of speakers from local, regional and EU institutions, active and vocal in connectivity dynamics.

During two intense days, the forum brought into focus the transport connectivity and the opportunities that may arise from the development of the Connectivity Agenda in the Adriatic and Ionian Macro-regional area, to boost the movement of goods and people from the East towards the heart of Europe and vice-versa. In addition, the event aimed to promote and support the institutional dialogue between different actors and key stakeholders towards an integrated approach between the EUSAIR Strategy, the Trans-European Corridors and the Connectivity agenda in the Western Balkans, in the attempt to place this area in the global map of transport networks.

The event kicked off with the Welcome Notes from Mr. Alessandro Delli Noci – Apulian Regional Minister for Economic Development and International Policies and continued with the Keynote Addresses from  Mr. Mladen Bojanic, Montenegrin Minister of Capital Investments, Mr. Etjen Xhafaj, Albanian Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy and Mr. Alberto Petrangeli, Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy in Tirana –  who highlighted that the triangle Puglia – Albania – Montenegro constitute a strategic hub that serves as an entry gate for both EU and the Balkans. All emphasized the importance of SAGOV project in highlighting and bringing into the attention of the policy makers the importance of maritime connectivity.

The first panel “Improving the Connectivity Agenda in the Western Balkans and the cooperation with EU: policies and investment projects” started under the moderation of Mr. Ardian Hackaj, Director of Research at Cooperation and Development Institute and with the participation of Mr. Matej Zakonsek, Director of the Transport Community Secretariat, Mr. Donald Mishaxhiu, Director – Senior banker at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Mr. Michael Voegele, from the EU Neighbourhood & Enlargement and Amb. Traian Chebeleu, Deputy Secretary General, Permanent International Secretariat of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation – BSEC PERMIS. The panel concluded that project implementation needs to be accompanied by reform measures, strengthening of domestic institutions and regional coordination on joint projects.

The forum continued with the kick of the second panel “The multimodal Corridors system within the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian region (EUSAIR)” that together with Mr. Giuseppe Catalano, Head of Technical Department for Strategic Infrastructure at the Italian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr. Thimjo Plaku, Director for Development of Transport and Infrastructure Policies and Strategies at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Ms. Danijela Kapa, designated Head of the Department for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Capital Investments – Montenegro and under the moderation of Mr. Giorgio Fruscione – ISPI – Istituto per gli studi di politica internazionale  further explored the theme of the multimodal Corridors system within the EU Strategy for the Adriatic – Ionian region (EUSAIR).

Likewise, the second day of Adriatic Connectivity Forum began with a keynote address from Mr. Bujar Osmani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, who focused on the Initiative 8, as a regional initiative that brings together infrastructure, economies, p2p and institutional cooperation into one Corridor from Adriatic to the Black Sea.

Afterwards, the first panel “Talk with European Institutions – TEN T” kicked off with the participation of Mr. Alain Baron from the EU Commission and Mr. Giuseppe Ferrandino, Member of the European Parliament, under the moderation of Ms. Angela Stefania Bergantino, from the University of Bari and Italian Association of Transport Economics. This session was dedicated to the Adriatic–Ionian Corridor and the Orient– East / Med Core Network (Corridor VIII) in the framework of TEN-T revision process and emphasized that the Corridor 8 is one of very rare horizontal axis that connects Europe. The speakers added that to succeed it requires political will, prioritization of main intervention during its route, modernization, coordinated planning and substantial research on the form of such a multi-modal corridor.

The second panel, reserved to project partners, focused on the SAGOV main results and the strategic role of cross-border cooperation for the transport sector. The project partners presented some of the key outputs of SAGOV project such as the Connectivity Platform – a web based and interactive e-platform with Semaphore system that aims to increase the visibility and coordination of connectivity initiatives linking Italy / Puglia Region, Albania and Montenegro.

In addition, the speakers highlighted that Albania and Montenegro have an excellent cross-border cooperation in infrastructure, while acknowledging that SAGOV has provided a framework that can help coordinate connectivity activities in the region and has promoted the participation of Puglia in this scheme.

The final panel of the two-day forum focused on the key role of South – Adriatic ports in the global transport connectivity network. The panel took place under the moderation of Mr. Enrico Fardella, T.wai – Torino World Affairs Institute and with the participation of Mr. Giuseppe Garofalo, General Director at ASSET – Regione Puglia, Mr. Lucas Bosser, Director for Transport and Accessibility at Conference of peripheral maritime regions, Mr. Pirro Vengu, CEO at the Durres Port Authority and Mr. Alessandro Panaro, Director of Maritime and Mediterranean Economy department at SRM Studi Ricerche Mezzogiorno. The key highlight of this session was attributed to the new initiative “Center of Excellence on Maritime Affairs” – between Durres Port, together with Transport Permanent Secretariat, Cooperation and Development Institute and University of Durres. The panelists also highlighted that Ports that integrate ZES (Economic Special Zones), an integrated governance approach and need to adapt to post Covid19 situation, will define ports in South Adriatic Area.

The agenda of the event can be consulted here. To find out more on SAGOV project and its activities and deliverables, please further consult the official website here.