National Strategy for development and integration 2015-2020.

This Albanian National Strategy for development and integration (NSDI) for the period from the year 2015 until the year 2020, which also includes goals and issues regarding European integration, good governance, democracy and rule of law, macroeconomic and fiscal stability, enhancing competitiveness, human development and social cohesion, sustaianble use of resources, here sets the following 2020 vision: Albania shall be a strengthened democracy, on the path towards EU integration, with a competitive, stable and sustainable economy, guaranteeing fundamental and human rights.
Part I reiterates the main achievements from the implementation of NSDI-I during 2007-2014 period (previous strategy), including focusing on key lessons learned, main triggers of change, and the Government’s national vision for the next five years. In addition, the document includes a brief summary of the most recent macro-economic trends and key challenges. The national vision looks into the actions that are necessary in a broad range of areas and policies in the public domain, together with the development partners, NGOs, private sector and the civil society, for ensuring economic growth and the welfare for a European Albania. Part II of this document addresses the objectives and outcomes foreseen for six priorities of the Government in the medium-term. These priorities include: (1) ensuring innovative, citizen-centered good governance; (2) integrated water management; (3) recovery and financial consolidation of the energy sector; (4) enhancing innovation and competitiveness; (5) integrated land management; and (6) structural reform of the financial system. These topics run through most of the NSDI-II sectors, and hence may be perceived as cross-sector sub-groups, in the context of broader priorities and strategies of Government policies for national development and European integration during 2015-2020. Part III represents the core of the document, presenting and depicting the statement/declaration for the vision for the country’s development and integration. This part is about the foundations and main pillars for the delivery of NSDI-II vision. Part IV focuses on the conditions and terms for the implementation and coordination of NSDI-II, including the risk factors and financial considerations. This Part is about the main coordination and cooperation mechanisms among institutions, and with the international partners that would enable the implementation of the strategy. In addition, it includes the potential risk factors for the implementation of NSDI-II, as well as the financial implications for the strategy.
The National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI) represents the core strategic document that combes the EU integration agenda with the country’s sustainable economic and social development, including the co-relation with the Sustainable Development Goals. NSDI II is the document that presents the vision for the development of democracy, social and economic development for the timeframe 2015-2020, while highlighting the aspirations for the EU integration. NSDI 2015-2020 is a depiction of how this vision is going to be translated into policies and priorities, as follows: Promoting country’s development rates, by fostering sustainable economic growth through macroeconomic and financial stability; Achieving standards regarding the citizens’ services, ensuring better quality of life and protection of their rights; Transforming Albania into a country whose standards would enable its EU membership; Establishing policies that enhance competitiveness and foster the country’s economic growth, compared to the countries of the region and beyond.
The major objective is EU integration; Foundation of the vision: Consolidation of good governance, democracy and the rule of law; Pillar 1: Ensuring economic growth through macro-economic and fiscal stability; Pillar 2: Ensuring growth through enhanced competitiveness and innovation; Pillar 3: Investing in human capital and social cohesion; Pillar 4: Securing growth through sustainable use of resources and territorial development. Agriculture continues to be one of the most important sectors currently, with potential for future development, while also remaining the main sector of employment, with approximately 52% full time employees. Even though there is no accurate data, it is believed that more than 2/3 of general agricultural land is in use. In order to secure financial support, and promote crediting in agricultural and rural development, in 2015 was approved the establishment of the National Guarantee Fund with the goal of crediting agriculture and fostering rural development. The vision and priorities of the Government in terms of economic growth, takes into consideration the vision for EU accession, to ensure the development of a productive and competitive Albanian economy based on a balanced and sustainable use of resources. This Pillar also takes into consideration the regional approach concerning connectivity in the framework of the Berlin Process. Investments in the country's infrastructure – energy, transport, natural resources and the environment, agriculture, mining, tourism, water – will expand opportunities for business and the economy, will increase the well-being for all Albanian citizens, and advance the country on its path to integration into European systems through: a cost-effective and sustainable energy system based on market principles; a national and integrated transport system; a growth-conducive more diversified agricultural and agro-food sector; dynamic and balanced regional development; a healthy and sustainable environment; a sustainable and diversified mining industry; a recognized and attractive tourism industry; improved water supply, sewerage and waste management systems; increased coverage of urban wastewater treatment plants for the population; sustainable management of water resources; strengthened measures on adaptation to climate change and flood protection; and strengthened territorial, and urban planning, with the view to ensuring sustainable development.