Press Releases

USAID Sponsors Stakeholders' Meeting for Improvement of Implementation of Administrative Procedures Code (Feb. 28, 2005)

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invited key government leaders, and representative from the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of State, to join interested stakeholders for an initial kick-off meeting for improvement of implementation of Administrative Procedures Code (APC). The meeting, which included nearly 80 stakeholders, took place at Tirana's Sheraton Hotel this morning.

The effort is part of the USAID Rule of Law Program that started in July 2004. It includes assistance in the legal and technical aspects for the revision and implementation of the Administrative Procedures Code.

The event aimed to acknowledge the concerns of the Albanian public and private sectors about the difficulties with the implementation of the present Administrative Procedure Code, enacted in May 1999. The objective of the meeting was to create a core working group, which will work on proposed revisions and sub-regulatory acts to improve the Code’s effectiveness. Due to the need for further effectiveness, the Code should be seen as promoting transparency and good governance. ‘Albanian citizens deserve regular and predictable administration of all public acts affecting their daily lives,’ said Karen Russell, Chief of Party of USAID-funded Rule of Law Program. Through its Democracy and Governance Program, USAID promotes the rule of law and ensures the better enforcement of key Albanian laws that assist in the fight against corruption.