Shoulder to Shoulder: Albania’s Civilian Capacities In Support Of Capacity Development Abroad
Shoulder to Shoulder: Albania’s Civilian Capacities In Support Of Capacity Development Abroad

Author(s): Foto Duro
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Civil Society, Geopolitics
Published by: BCBP Beogradski centar za bezbednosnu politiku
Keywords: Albania; civilian capacitites;
Summary/Abstract: For more than two decades, Albania is building its own (civilian and military) capacities for the core state functions. Since 1996, it has contributed with military troops abroad, but there is no such contribution with civilian capacities so far. Capacity building (either military or civilian) in Albania looks better regulated vis-à-vis NATO, while concerning EU and UN there is no progress. Currently there are no plans in Albania for contributions with civilian capacities abroad, even though some of these capacities exist or are being created. They are mostly focused on strategic macroeconomic planning, security planning, health, education, human rights, law enforcement, etc. Being built anew they might be better suited (contextually seen) in helping conflict affected countries, which struggle to develop their own capacities. In this case, due to Albania’s limited resources, it is necessary to gain support from 3 rd party countries. Due to ethnic and cultural links, Albania’s contribution to Kosovo capacity development looks more feasible. In this case, working “shoulder to shoulder”, a term that has a strong emotional effect in population of both countries, can produce fast and tangible effects. Given the actual situation, it is necessary for the Government of Albania to take concrete actions in assessing the capacities in place and the ones which are more reasonable to be built, supported by the adequate implementation measures, with the right level of comprehensiveness, in partnership with private initiatives. Part of these efforts should be asking for support from third party countries/international institutions.

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