NATIONAL PRIORITY: To establish an efficient market in the sale, purchase and leasing of agriculture land; to create an appropriate institutional framework to promote the efficient use of agricultural land; to elaborate sustainable land and natural resource managing policies.

STATUS REPORT: 75% of country's land resources are devoted to agriculture and forestry activities. Agriculture and associated rural economic activities presently account for over 50% of GDP and employment in Albania. Privatization and liberalization of markets and prices have been particularly rapid in this sector of the economy, which has been a main contributor to the resumption of GDP growth in 1993, 1994 and 1995. However, agricultural production remains mainly subsistence-oriented.

A programme to consolidate land ownership, promote effective land management, and develop an efficient land market is underway with the assistance of EU/PHARE, USAID and World Bank.

Implementation of the component for registration and cadastral services began in 1994. As of December 1995, land surveying and mapping was completed on 286,000 ha (40% of total land area). The work is underway for setting up a GIS.

Technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food for the formulation of land legislation and policies. Studies have been carried out on various land policy issues (including policies to promote optimal land use). Several pieces of legislation were passed in 1995 to facilitate the establishment of a functioning land market, including the law for registration of immovable property, land lease and sale and establishment of full property rights to former state farms.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food and its other institutions (Land Institution)

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: During the 1996-98 period, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food's agricultural policy, analysis and programme management capacities will continue to be strengthened. In particular, a unit for formulating and analyzing policies for European integration is being set up under the Agricultural Projects Office (APO) with EU/PHARE assistance. In addition, the Ministry plans to improve its collection and analysis of agricultural data. There is also a need to expand the programme of staff training in all aspects of the Ministry's work.

3. Major Groups: Government and its research institutions; NGOs; different farmers and producers associations,

Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)

4. Finance: The Government of Albania, IDA, EU/PHARE

5. Regional/International Cooperation: The programme to develop research and extension land services will continue. The national extension programme will be extended, and a medium-term strategy will be prepared. Additional foreign financing will be required.

NATIONAL PRIORITY:

A rehabilitation and improvement of forest resources should be achieved, in order to avoid further degradation of forests: - to promote appropriate and sustainable conservation and management of forestry resources: - to support the establishment of an efficient forestry management service: - to facilitate the privatization of commercial forestry and wood industry operations (Italy, IDA, USA, Switzerland, Japan). Rehabilitation of forest roads network.

STATUS REPORT:

Albania is a country where forests cover 1,0447 million ha (about 36% of the total land resources of the country). Approximately 80% of the forests are located in the eastern mountainous area on land with slopes of 20-50%, and thus, highly susceptible to erosion. In this regard, forests play a very important role in the protection of soil throughout the country. About 95% of the forests are State-owned.

The main problems related to forests, which were evidenced during the former political and economic regime and/or in the last years can be listed as follows:

Forest cut for opening of new agricultural lands;

Forest cut for terracing;

Forest cut for heating and cooking. Fuelwood used to provide 90-100% of the demand for heating and cooking in all rural and urban areas.

Forest cut for construction, mining, wood processing;

Illegal deforestation cut. 5000 ha were cut down from 1991 to 1992;

Overgrazing of goats. During the last decade 300,000 ha of forest were transformed into cultivated and pasture lands. This problem is more evident in the Southern part of the country, where goats are more spread per each ha of forest. The more endangered are especially the re-pruned oak forests, those reproduced by seeds and the ones which have undergone the first phase of exploitation.

Despite measures taken, about 560 fires ocurred during 1993. Fires have covered an area of about 4,000,000 ha and have burned 250 ha. 509 fire cases were reported in 1994, which burned an area of about 400 ha.

Deforestation is a major environmental problem in Albania. It is a serious problem in peri-urban and rural areas of the country and one of the most visible evidence of poor resource management. It is especially pronounced in the more accessible forest areas and less in the less-accessible mountainous areas. Though measures have been taken in the last 50 years to protect the forest areas, the reforested area is estimated at only 150,000 ha. It has consisted mainly of species with rapid growth such as pine, robinia, poplar, willows and chestnut. Over the last 20 years the country is estimated to have lost 20% of its forests, while in 31% of it, the density is only 0.5-0.6 (tree crown).

New energy policies such as the introduction or increased use of alternative energies (gas, kerosene, electricity) for heating and cooking are expected to reduce the need for fuelwood. The use of synthetic materials has also decreased the demand for wood for furniture. In fact, in 1994, the official exploitation of forest resources decreased, while the illegal cutting for firewood and construction continued.

In order to improve the situation the enforcement of the "Law on forests and forest service police" for the control over forests users, perfection of methods of exploitation, as well as searching for new ones are indispensable. Besides, in order to avoid the consequences and to re-establish the normal state it is necessary that work foreseen in the relevant programmes for sanitary cutting, regeneration and reforestation be done. Among other measures, the study of the grazing areas and the legal definition of the areas where grazing is and is not allowed as well as a more correct implementation of the regulations for grazing are expected to be efficient measures for combating deforestation. These measures could be complemented by the application of economic instruments (tax system) to encourage the raising of animals which do not destroy the forest.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, General Directorate of Forests and Pastures and other institutions.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Formulating appropriate policies and a legal framework for better use of forest resources; establishing effective forestry extension, information services and training of forestry staff; developing private forestry and community management of forest and pasture land.

3. Major Groups: The Government; Research Institution; NGOs for forestry conservation and management.

4. Finance: From the Albanian Government, Italy, USA, IDA, Switzerland, Japan.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Additional funds will be required to initiate activities for combating and preventing erosion in forests and for afforestation, pasture development and protective planting and research.

NATIONAL PRIORITY:

STATUS REPORT:

International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification

Particularly in Africa has not been ratified.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

NO AREAS AFFECTED BY DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Committee of Environmental Protection

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Faculty of Agronomy, the Institute of Soil Research.

3. Major Groups: No information

4. Finance: No information

5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information

STATISTICAL DATA/INDICATORS

Latest 199_

Land affected by desertification (Km2)

Other data

NATIONAL PRIORITY: A high proportion (most) of the country is mountainous and hilly. Nevertheless, these areas are not especially focused on "mountain development". Part of these regions, especially in the remote northeastern districts, are targeted for poverty alleviation, rural development, combating deforestation etc.

STATUS REPORT: Not much has been planned for sustainable mountain development in the National Environmental Action Plan and the Environment Strategy Study. This issue has been indirectly dealt with when the discussion or plans on Forest development arise. This is mainly due to the fact that forests are generally located in the areas high above the sea level.

Regarding the hill side, terracing for opening of new agricultural land has been detrimental to the environment. The problem is regarded to be not only the fault of the improper terracing, but rather the inadequate resources available to farmers for the maintenance of hill side terraces. Besides, in areas where hill side terraces are near the grazing lands, they constitute a further pressure on erosion.

Typical erosion problems are reported to have occurred in the districts of Diber, Elbasan, Pogradec, Korce, Tirane, Shkoder, Berat, Tropoje, Fier where extensive orchards are grown on terraced steep land.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Committee of Environmental Protection.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Faculty of Forestry Engineering, the Directorate General of Forests and Pastures, the Institute of Forestry and Pastures Research.

3. Major Groups: No information.

4. Finance: No information.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: A Pilot Project on Dajti mountain national park, is being financed under the PHARE 1993 Program.

Zones of middle relief having a height of 1,000-2,000m include 13,559 (31.9%)

NATIONAL PRIORITY: The major aim of the policy in the agriculture sector is to create a conducive environment for private investments to take place. For such an environment to be in established, appropriate policy incentives, regulatory and legal framework, working infrastructure, an efficient land market and financial system are required.

STATUS REPORT: Following a sharp decline after the collapse of the centralised agricultural production system, Albania became dependant on food aid imports. Nevertheless, especially in the last two years, the country has achieved enormous progress towards reforming the agricultural sector. Already, practically all of the land previously controlled by state-run co-operatives and state farms has been fully privatised, and major reforms in price and trade liberalisation have been achieved. As a result, last year agriculture was growing at an annual rate of more than 14%.

About 50% of the labour force is employed in agriculture and forestry (705,000 people in primary production and additional 100,000 in related sectors) and two thirds of the population live in rural areas.

Prior to the privatisation of arable land, state farms held 25% of the agricultural land, usually of higher quality, and the remainder was held by co-operatives. It is estimated that the privatisation of state farm and co-operatives has resulted in about 500,000 farms of an average size of 1,4 ha.

The Government has initiated a rapid campaign of privatisation of the agricultural marketing and processing sector. The entire system was in a very distressing situation, and factories were working at 5-20% of their 1989 capacity. During 1996, some very positive signs of recovery within that system were registered.

Presently, the rural credit system cannot service the needs of the emerging private sector. The Rural Commercial Bank, created to take over the deposits, capital, and performing assets of the former Bank for agricultural development, has been set up as a joint stock company and has been placed under the banking law.

Irrigation is crucial for the development of agriculture. Since 1991, maintenance of irrigation infrastructure and drainage systems has been reduced considerably and construction work on new or improvement schemes stopped. Under the central planning, the irrigation network was supervised and maintained by district Water enterprises and by specialised state-owned construction companies controlled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Water enterprises must now make deliveries to about 500,000 farmers and collect charges from them as well as maintain the network of channels.

Agricultural activities could have a serious impact on the environment through soil erosion and degradation through deforestation. The steady increase in livestock over the past two years could lead to overgrazing that in turn could exacerbate soil erosion. Hillside terracing has been widely practised over the past 30 years and has lead to soil erosion. Past excessive use of state subsidised pesticides and fertilisers has lead in some areas to excessive concentration of chemicals in the soil amounting to an average of 468 kg fertiliser/ha and of 9 kg of pesticide and herbicide/ha in 1990. Nevertheless, fertiliser and pesticide consumption has decreased considerably recently.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, its institutions, Local Government and other ministries for especially focused issues (the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Construction, etc.).

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The programme for improving agricultural vocational education, which is the joint responsibility of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Agriculture, is included in the programme for vocational education under the education sector.

Further training support will be required to support the programme to develop institutional capacities at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

3. Major Groups: The Government (central and local); interest groups (farmers, etc.); research institutions.

4. Finance: From the Albanian Government; the EU/PHARE Programme, USAID, WB, FAO, IFAD, Islamic Development Bank; the Governments of Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, France.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Projects have been financed by the Albanian Government and multi- and/or bi-lateral donors.

NATIONAL PRIORITY: Preparation of a strategy for biodiversity conservation

STATUS REPORT:

The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed in 1994.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has not been signed.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

Considering the small size of the country, Albania is rich in biodiversity. There are still species in Albania which are endangered at the European level. The loggerhead turtle has been found along the Ionian coasts where the narrow virgin beaches are suitable sites for laying eggs. The Dalmatian Pelican is a threatened species which has its only nesting site in the Karavasta Lagoon. The population is actually estimated at 200 couples. The monk seal, which is practically extinct in the Mediterranean, except for some isolated parts of the Aegean and Adriatic, is found in Albania. 63 mammals, 215 birds, 31 reptiles and 13 amphibians species are reported. Many of them are endangered or threatened species. Dynamite fishing and the use of drift nets are still used in the territorial waters of Albania.

The mountain alpine forest ecosystems are also rich in biodiversity. The higher areas are dominated by beech and pine forests and preserve a large number of endemic and sub-endemic plant species.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Committee of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The Committee on Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Institute of Biology Studies, the Institute of Forests and Pastures Research, the Institute of Fisheries Research, the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

3. Major Groups: No information.

4. Finance: No information.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Within the PHARE and Life Programmes of the European Union and the GEF.

NATIONAL PRIORITY: Selectively determining the national needs for bioproducts and setting up a related environmentally sound biotechnology.

STATUS REPORT: During the communist regime in the country, the totalitarian State pursued the policy of producing everything relying on its "own efforts". Within the framework of this policy, particular attention was given to the production of bioproducts, which were considered by the former regime as "strategic goods". Therefore, many research institutions were involved in bio-research-developed production lines for bioproducts. The technology adopted for this purpose was Chinese, and as a matter of fact, most of the bio-production lines were installed and began to function during the years of Albanian-Chinese friendship.

Bioproducts such as vaccines, antigens, serums were produced by the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (currently called the Institute of Public Health) and the Institute of Veterinary Research, serums for reproduction purposes by the Institute of Animal Breeding Research, and production of antibiotics by the Antibiotic Enterprise in Tirana.

Smaller scale biotechnology lines were also installed in other institutions such as the Institute of Potatoes and Vegetables, Biomass Station, etc.

There was little interest shown by the State to improve the biotechnological lines, especially in view of their possible impacts on the environment. In many cases, the by-products of the bio-lines underwent no special treatment and were discharged into the municipal sewage or dump sites.

Generally, the control of bioproducts for their harmlessness, sterility and other safety parameters was performed by units within the production units themselves thus not allowing an objective evaluation of the final product. Therefore, in some cases, the bioproduct turned out to be a contaminant at the final destination.

Considering that there was no proper market demand for bioproducts, their production and distribution was performed in a centralized way and in many cases the delivered aliquots were not used at all and after expiring, were not always returned to the delivery center for treatment as wastes.

Following the fall of the communist regime and the onset of the free market society, most of the state-controlled biotechnology lines underwent a deep crisis. Due to their obsolete technologies, their final products were of low quality and safety and very costly, and therefore unable to compete with the imported bioproducts. As a result, some of the biotechnology lines were forced to close down their activities.

In some cases, the State was unable to properly manage the biotechnology production lines which resulted in their privatization such as the case of the Antibiotic Enterprise in Tirana. In some other cases, the state-owned biotechnology lines (esp. vaccines production lines) reduced their production activities and acquired the position of distributors of imported bioproducts by keeping a certain commission for the performed activity.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Ministry of Health and Environment

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The Institute of Public Health (former Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology), the Institute of Veterinary Research, the Institute of Animal Breeding Research, the Antibiotic Enterprise, the Institute of Potatoes and Vegetables Research, the Biomass Station, Faculty of Natural Sciences, etc.

3. Major Groups: No information.

4. Finance: From the State Budget. Grants from Abroad.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Very reduced cooperation.

NATIONAL PRIORITY:

STATUS REPORT:

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea has not been ratified.

See also the attached tables on the next pages.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Committee of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Public Works, Territory Adjustment and Tourism.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Same as above and the Institute of Hydrometeorolgy and the Institute of Nuclear Physics.

3. Major Groups: No information.

4. Finance: No information.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.

NATIONAL PRIORITY:

STATUS REPORT: Albania has abundant water resources, composed of rivers, lakes, underground waters, springs and coastal waters. The basin of the Albanian hydrographical network is settled in the South Western part of the Balkan peninsula. The rivers of Albania are short in length and have small hydrographical basins because of the meridional position of the country.

Lakes are important components of the Albanian hydrographical network. In Albania, there are 247 natural lakes of various types and dimensions. The general water area of the Albanian lakes is 461 km2.

Albania is a water-rich country, and much of its economic activity is dependent on the utilization of water resources. Over 90% of the energy production is from hydropower plants, while agriculture is critically dependent on irrigation. However, the inadequate and poorly maintained infrastructure in each of the water-using sectors and the absence of institutional co-ordination has resulted in the lack of water supplies becoming a key constraint to many economic activities and to satisfying basic social needs.

The Government's role in the management of water resources has been to develop and implement policies and strategies which promote the conservation and efficient use of water. For that purpose, the Government has begun the preparation of a National Water Strategy (with funding by the EU) to set out polices concerning the efficient management and protection of water resources, and to specify an appropriate legal framework for the management of water resources.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The responsibility for developing water policies and strategies is vested with the autonomous National Water Committee. The administration and implementation of water strategies is undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works, and Territory Adjustment, in conjunction with Ministry of Mineral and Energy Resources.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The Government is committed to commercializing both water supply and sewerage services. This would require the introduction of an appropriate regulation framework to regulate the operations of privatized water companies.

3. Major Groups: The Government; the National Water Committee; Research Institutions.

4. Finance: From the Albanian Government, IDA, IFAD, Italy, Germany, Austria.

5. Regional/International Cooperation:

Additional resources will be required to rehabilitate water supply systems in areas other than Tirana and Durres, and to improve sewerage systems throughout the country.

NATIONAL PRIORITY: Legal and technical control on the production and use of toxic chemicals in the country and the elimination of toxic substances still present in the country.

STATUS REPORT: During the former regime, agriculture in particular made considerable use of toxic chemicals mainly fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides. While fertilizers were mainly produced in the country, herbicides and insecticides were generally imported. Since there was a tendency of referring to the cheapest offers for importing such goods, the pesticides which dominated the agricultural activities were organochlorine pesticides, known for their low biodegradability and the long persistence as residues in the environment. There were 70 different kinds of pesticides many of which highly toxic. There was no law that could impose restrictions on the type of the chemical allowed to enter and be used in the country. However in 1993, a law on Plant Protection Service was passed, which dealt with pest management. Since that time a decrease in the use of pesticides has been reported.

Apart from agricultural activities which played a major role in the release of toxic chemicals in the environment, industrial activities making use of obsolete technologies, contributed with their discharges of toxic chemicals as by products to the environmental contamination, such as the Caustic Soda Enterprise in Vlora, Metallurgic Combine Complex in Elbasan, The Battery and Accumulators Enterprise in Berati, the Cooper Smelter Enterprise in Rubik etc.

The onset of the free market economy brought about a considerable decrease in the use of fertilizers in agriculture and led to the reduction of their accumulation in soil and plants. Hence, soil contamination and its contribution to the contamination of water resources (surface and ground waters) was reduced as well.

Another factor which has contributed to the lessening of pollution from agricultural activities, is the rather low level of pesticides used in the last years, mainly due to the little concern shown by the farmers and the generally restricted possibilities for the elimination of agricultural crop damages. Thus, a reduction of soil contamination levels from pesticide tracks has been observed. However, a critical environmental issue is the presence of inherited pesticides which are located and deposited all over the country.

By the end of 1993, there were about 2,700 tons of used pesticides derived from the fund of the ex-agricultural cooperatives and enterprises or pesticides not used in their appropriate time. Out of this amount, a 465 ton stock of pesticides on the eve of expiration had come, in 1991-1992, as disguised aid from the former East Germany and was deposited mainly in Bajza station (Shkoder) and Milot. With the continuos insistence of the Committee on Environmental Protection and with the support of Greenpeace, the German Ministry of Environment took the responsibility to undertake actions and allocate funds for the pesticides repackaging and their return in Germany, in cooperation with the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture and Food. By the end of October 1994, these pesticides were taken away from Albania, avoiding a danger to the whole country.

Still at the end of 1994, about 1,500 tons of pesticides were in the country, not including another 600 tons from the Chemical Enterprise in Durres (wastes from lindan production). An adverse phenomenon that should be impeded, is the privatization of the pesticides warehouses which may cause environmental pollution or be misused by the new owners if their destination is changed.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Committee of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Same as above, and the Research Institute for Chemical Technology, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Laboratory of the Army.

3. Major Groups: No information.

4. Finance: No information.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.

NATIONAL PRIORITY: Environmentally sound and legally compatible removal of hazardous wastes still present in the country.

STATUS REPORT:

The Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

No information has ever been provided to the Basel Convention Secretariat.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

The number of large industrial and mining activities are the main contributors to the toxic waste production.

No treatment or control has ever been done before dumping; the waste is dumped untreated.

Activities which generate hazardous wastes in Albania include:
- oil extraction and refining (areas of Fier, Patos, Kucove, Cerrik, Ballsh);
- - mining and metal ore processing ( areas of Elbasan, Rubik, Burrel, Kukes, Lac); and
- industrial production, chemical industry (areas of Vlora, Fier, Lac, Durres, Tirana).

A ministerial decision was passed in 1994, which contains a list of hazardous materials banned from import.

1. Decision-Making Structure: Committee of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Committee of Environmental Protection, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Research of Chemical Technology.

3. Major Groups: No information.

4. Finance: No information.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: A National Waste Management Plan, carried out with the financial support of the PHARE 1993 Environment Programme for Albania. Another project is expected to start ("Waste management in 6 Albanian municipalities; a model to be implemented in other developing countries") with the support of the LIFE Programme of the European Union.

NATIONAL PRIORITY: Waste disposal and building of sanitary landfills

STATUS REPORT: Urban solid waste management in Albania is the responsibility of the municipalities. Urban waste has always, and is still being collected in unprotected containers all over Albania. After the change of the political and economic regime, the load of domestic waste has increased drastically due to the increased and changed consumption patterns. The average waste generated per capita per day is reported to be 0,4 kg. No waste treatment technologies are applied in the country. Dump sites are often located by the sea or the rivers coast, being a continuous threat to their quality. Problems rise with the transportation of waste and withdrawal from the containers which are placed close to the apartment blocks. They not only damage the aesthetic values of the urban areas but also open the door to a number of infectious diseases and epidemics.

The important changes, which have taken place in the country as a consequence of the political changes of the last years, have made indispensable the change of the whole management systems adopted by the past regime.

A new problem has recently been raised by construction wastes which are left at the site after the completion of buildings.

No regulation forces the construction companies to withdraw the wastes generated by them.

Urban waste management has become a critical issue and an environmental priority in Albania. The situation with urban waste is worrying and is worse with time. It is of a crucial importance to start acting immediately in order to avoid further complications. Therefore, work must start urgently to avoid problems which can be tackled today. Any delay can have such an adverse effect, so as to make the solution of the problem more difficult and/or expensive in the future.

No separate disposal is foreseen for industrial wastes. Both urban and industrial waste are discharged untreated in any manner. The closing down of almost all of the industrial activities in the last years makes impossible the quantification of the waste generated by them. From a qualitative point of view it is possible to state that the use of backward technologies in the past has resulted in an uncontrolled stock of industrial waste. For the time being, and as long as the industries are closed, the problems related to industrial waste mainly concern the clean up of the already contaminated sites rather than the disposal of the waste production in itself.

Though the industrial activities are not functioning for the time being, it is expected that soon the economy will bloom. Therefore, the definition of the rules and standards to limit the production of industrial waste must be carried out in the short term.

No waste water treatment plants exist in the country. Sewage waters are discharged directly to the sea or rivers, being a threat for the environmental quality of waters and tourism development.

Old sewage pipes are often placed over drinking water pipes. Their leakages (which often occur due to the old and bad quality of the pipes) pollute the drinking water. Water related epidemics have occurred such as cholera and poliomyelitis.

Untreated sewage water is used for irrigation leading not only to health problems but also adversely affecting the soil quality, vegetation and aquatic resources.

Both urban solid wastes and sewage water related problems are currently being emphasized with the illegal constructions in areas where no infrastructure is built for these purposes.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Public Works, Territory Adjustment and Tourism, Committee on Environmental Protection.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Same as above, and the Research Institute for Chemical Technology, the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and the Faculty of Energy Resources.

3. Major Groups: No information.

4. Finance: No information.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: within the National Waste Management Plan - PHARE Environment 1993; the National Water Strategy - PHARE Environment 1993; Waste water Treatment Plant and detailed design for Vlora and Pogradec cities - PHARE Environment 1993; Waste water Treatment plants and drinking water supply for Saranda-PHARE Crossborder.

NATIONAL PRIORITY: Setting up a national network for the control and treatment of radioactive wastes.

STATUS REPORT: Radioactive wastes in Albania are related to the existence of authorised nuclear units that make use of radio nuclides, either as radio tracers or as radiation sources for radio-theraupetic purposes.

There are no nuclear reactors in the country.

The Ministry of Health and Environmental Protection, through a special Radiation-protection unit, is responsible for the supervision of the nuclear safety of the existing authorised nuclear units in the country.

The Radiation Protection unit of this Ministry issues regulations and imposes restrictions on work with radioactive substances.

The Institute of Nuclear Research is the national centre responsible for the management and disposal of the radioactive wastes. It also holds training courses on radiation safety and issues certificates for staff personnel to be hired for working in the nuclear units.

Nuclear units that make use of radio nuclides are required to make import orders for radio-isotopes through the Institute of Nuclear Research directly, or proceed independently after having informed the Radiation safety unit of the Ministry of Health and Environmental Protection in advance of the type of radio-isotope and purpose of use.

The Institute of Nuclear Research (INR) is the only Albanian authority responsible for the final disposal of radioactive wastes. The nuclear units, after the temporary disposal of their radioactive wastes in the appropriate containers, must contact the INR for the final disposal of the wastes.

The Institute of Nuclear Research is currently engaged in considering the request of the University Hospital Centre for the disposal of a Co-60 Radiation Source which is actually out of use.

Recently the Ministry of Health and Environmental Protection has reorganised the former Radiation Safety Unit at the level of a Department. The Department for Radiation Safety will undertake most of the responsibilities in the field of radiation protection. It will routinely investigate the activities of the existing nuclear units through a network of radiation safety inspectors.

All units that intend to make use of nuclear techniques must apply for a licence from the Radiation Safety Department and comply with the existing regulations.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Health and Environment Protection, Radiation Protection Department.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The University of Tirana, the Faculty of Natural Sciences,

the Institute of Nuclear Research Tirana, Albania.

3. Major Groups: The Department of Radiation Protection at the Ministry of Health and Environment Protection and the Network of Radiation safety inspectors.

4. Finance: From the State Budget Funds; the International Atomic Energy Agency grants, other funding etc.

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Regional and international cooperation is mainly organized and subsidized by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

NATIONAL PRIORITY: The reform programme aims to maintain a high rate of economic growth while holding inflation below a certain reasonable level (under 10%), while maintaining an adequate level of foreign reserves and making progress towards balance of payments viability. The strategy for achieving these objectives involves: removing barriers to private sector development: -increased public saving and investment: -control of credit expansion: control of public expenditure especially the public sector wage bill: strengthening market-oriented structural reform; continuing mobilization of external support as far as possible on concessional terms.

STATUS REPORT: The Economic reform programme, which has been supported by substantial external financial assistance has achieved considerable success. Targets for economic growth, inflation and external adjustment were met. The key macro-economic measures which have contributed to this success were the implementation of a strong monetary policy based on reductions in the domestic financing requirements of the budget and strict limitations on credit to state enterprises. This has been backed up by policies to strengthen revenue performance and fiscal management, the implementation of income policy and further liberalization of the trading system including the simplifying of tariff structures. Recently, these considerable successes have been interrupted by the sudden collapse of the pyramidal scheme based companies.

CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

The key measures will be the following:

1) Credit policy: The strict limits on credit expansion. The domestic budget deficit will be covered by non-inflationary financing through the issuing of treasury bills.

2) Fiscal management: A strong fiscal policy stance will be maintained aimed at reducing the budget deficit to sustainable levels.

This involves measures to broaden the tax system, improvements in tax administration, elimination of the remaining price subsidies, rationalization of social services, public administration reform and utilization of external support. This, in turn, will require strengthening of institutional capacities for budgetary planning, accounting, reporting and expenditure control.

NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS:

External sector polices: Sustaining the market-determined exchange rate, maintaining liberal trade and exchange systems, normalization of the external financial relation following the agreement on debt restructuring with foreign commercial banks, strengthening of institutional capacities in the financial services sector for handling foreign transactions. International trade will also be facilitated by Albania's accession to membership in the WTO.

Private sector development: This will require further refinements in the legal framework for the market economy and more rapid progress in the creation of the modern commercial banking system. This will be backed up by the completion of a enterprise privatization programme and the seeking of strategic investors in the mining and petroleum sectors and in some public utility operations.

ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES: No information.

NATIONAL PRIORITY:

STATUS REPORT ON LINKS BETWEEN NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION NETWORKS/SYSTEMS:

No information

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: No information

NATIONAL PRIORITY: Integration of education and research.

STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, RESEARCH NEEDS AND PRIORITIES:

A Network of Educational and Research Institutions all over the country divulges scientific knowledge in almost every branch of science.

Education is the main responsibility of Universities, whereas research is mainly carried out by Research Institutes.

Universities and Research Institutes act as independent administrative structures. Therefore, the present organizational structure does not offer the necessary background for scientific integration and co-operation.

Research needs focus on: 1) updating the scientific information; 2) installation of new equipment; 3) development of appropriate technical and practical skills by research staffs.

Applied research has been and continues to be a priority in the scientific policy of Albania.

Applied research follows the economic priorities of the country such as agriculture, extraction and processing of ores industry, environmental protection etc. Research costs are partly subsidised by the state budget and to a larger extent, by international funds.

STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG TERM SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:

The Albanian Government, through the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, has initiated the process of integration of Education and Research and the enhancement of scientific understanding. The final aim of this process will be the strengthening of the leading role of Universities as centres of education and research, through the inclusion of research Institutes as functional parts of the Universities.

Apart from strengthening scientific understanding, it will ensure a rational and better use of the scientific staff and of the available financial resources.

NATIONAL PRIORITY: Because of their social benefits, services in these sectors are generally unsuited for privatization. The government policies emphasize the "protection" of services and the implementation of reform measures aimed at making services more efficient and better targeted. The Ministries of Education's objectives for the sector are to ensure the provision of a basic education for all Albanians and to meet the professional and technical skills required in a market economy.

STATUS REPORT: In general, indicators of quality and access within the education sector have deteriorated during the early 1990s as a result of the poor conditions of education provisions (poor condition of facilities, poorly motivated staff due to poor salaries and working conditions, outdated curricula, untrained teachers, shortages in equipment and books). This has been the result of critically inadequate funding from the budget for the education sector (average

9% of the total budget). In 1996, it was estimated around 11%.

The policies and strategies for the sector aim at 1) improving the facilities for delivering education through a programme of rehabilitation, reconstruction, re-equipping facilities; 2) updating the education curriculum at all levels; 3) developing skilled teaching staff; 4) establishing an effective system of education management to ensure quality assessment and control; and 5) ensuring a more efficient utilization of facilities and staff and reducing the demands on the state budget.

a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable development

Reorientation of education: 1) to improve the environment and quality of all levels of education in order to ensure that an educated adult population and workforce is being prepared; 2) to rehabilitate and rationalize existing education facilities to suit the changing demographic structure: and 3) to support the restructuring of secondary education, emphasizing a general education and a more broadly based vocational education system.

b) Increasing public awareness

No information.

c) Promoting training

A separate fund, entitled the Training, Employment, and Enterprise Fund (TEEF), has been set up to provide funding for organizations which provide job training and support the development of small enterprises. It is administered by the unit within the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS:

At the Ministry of Education headquarters: policy development and sector programme planning and management capacities. The Pedagogical Institute: developing its role in instigating and advising the Government on key issues in the sector such as school governance, curriculum development, quality assurance.

The Institute of Labor and Social Affairs is engaged in studying the relationships between labor market and vocational and technical training.

NGOs have contributed financially in the realization of education research projects at different levels, notably the SOROS Foundation "For Open Society" and different Italian NGOs, such as Don Bosco et al.

FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOR ACTIVITIES:

A range of different international and bilateral donors are active in this field. At present, foreign donors are providing significant amounts to help improve both the physical infrastructure and the know-how education and training system, the most important donors being the EU/PHARE, the World Bank, SOROS, UNESCO, UNICEF, Germany, Switzerland, USA, the Netherlands, et al.

NATIONAL PRIORITY:

STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL ENDOGENOUS CAPACITY BUILDING: In Albania, environmental management is as new as many other areas of the Government's activities. No institutional structures exist for sustainable development and multi-sectoral decision-making on development priorities. However, in the current sectoral ministries, divisions exist which address issues related to environmental protection and management. This structure could well be utilised in creating a network of decision-makers from across the traditional line ministries.

Some recent experience exists with respect to environmental management in Albania. In 1991, a Committee on Environment Protection (CEP) was established. The Committee is attached to the Ministry of Health although it operates independently of it. During 1993, the Government of Albania extended the structure of the CEP to include three directories and a legal office. The number of staff employed is 25.

Until 1994, no institutional infrastructure existed to address environmental management at the local level. Recognizing the need for monitoring and policy development capability at the local level, the Government established Regional Environmental Agencies (REAs) in each of 12 prefectures in Albania. Most REAs are staffed by 1-2 professionals. It is expected that operationalisation of REAs in all prefectures will take additional time as some prefectures have not responded to the legal requirements posed by the central Government.

In addition to structures at the local level which are being developed by CEP, the Secretariat for Local Government under the State Secretary provides an additional network which can pose a significant potential for reaching municipalities. The secretariat is responsible for preparing legislation for structures and functioning of the local government, for determining relations with national government and advocating the interest of municipalities at the national level.

In addition to recently created government bodies, other entities such as institutes and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) also play a role in environmental management in Albania.

The Institute of Hydro-meteorology of the Academy of Sciences, for example, deals with the monitoring of air and water pollution. It has a national network of stations for taking water samples, especially in the main rivers to measure the level of pollution. There are no fixed stations in lakes, and samples are taken only on the spot.

The Committee of Sciences and Technology, through its network of research institutes, also carries out studies related to environment in the field of agriculture, mines , geology and construction.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences in the University of Tirana performs studies in the field of threats to biodiversity, chemical analytical aspects of pollution, as well as physical, chemical and technological aspects of waste water treatment.

The studies for degradation of land and soil erosion are performed by the Geography Department in the Faculty of History and Philology.

The Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology supervises and manages the studies about the level of toxic substances in the air and water in urban areas, the control of drinking water supplies and the system of urban waste discharges.

The Research Institute of Chemical Technology carries out studies on the inventory of liquid industrial and urban discharges.

The first environmental NGOs were created in 1991. NGOs have often taken the lead to point out trade and consummation patterns which are not sustainable long-term and have suggested short-term policy and behavioural changes. In Albania, approximately 300 NGOs are registered, even though only 50 or so are active. In the area related to

Agenda 21, i.e. trade, economic development and environment, at least 10-15 NGOs are active.

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