The Commission has just adopted the 2016 Programme for Albania granting EUR 89.7 million to support the country on its path to EU accession. The programme follows the enlargement policy "fundamentals first" by focusing on the areas of rule of law, fundamental rights, good governance, economic development and competiveness. It builds on the 2014 and 2015 programmes within the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II), which amounts to a total of EUR 649.4 million for Albania over the 2014-2020 period.

The programme specifically supports the implementation of the Albanian strategy for the fight against corruption and the reform of the judiciary by continuing its technical assistance programme EURALIUS.

The programme also supports the transport sector, with a focus on the road maintenance to ensure efficiency in the planning and spending of public resources.

Support will also be provided to the environment sector with a focus on implementation of the water supply and waste water strategy, and to agriculture and rural development, in particular for the development of a land cadastre and for improved food safety and veterinary and phytosanitary standards, in view of underpinning agro-food exports as well as to the fishery sector. This will contribute to the economic development of Albania, creating more jobs and prosperity for all its citizens.

In addition, financial assistance will be provided to civil society and to support Albania's participation in Union programmes and agencies such as such as "Erasmus+", "Horizon 2020" and "Creative Europe", for the direct benefit of the Albanian citizens.  

Albania also benefits from EU assistance within the IPA II multi-country programme, providing financial support on a regional scale.