History of EU Law Enforcement assistance to Albania
The EU Law Enforcement assistance to Albania have started in 2002 and have operated in the framework of the assistance that the EU has given to Albania in the area of law enforcement and security and public order. The PAMECA projects did succeed the Multinational Advisory Police Element (MAPE) from Western European Union (WEU) and the European Commission Police Assistance in Albania (ECPA) 15 May 1997 – 31 August 2002
MAPE the Western European Union (WEU) decided on 2 May 1997 to establish the Multinational Advisory Police Element (MAPE). MAPE was to advise the Albanian authorities in respect of public order, border control, logistics and communication. From 12 October 1997, the mandate also included the task of educating, training and equipping the police officers, as well as supervising the police apparatus, particularly around the time of the local council elections of 18 and 19 June 1998.
ECPA The European Union decided at the beginning of 2001 to create ECPA as a bridging mission between MAPE and the proposed CARDS programme (community assistance for reconstruction, development and stabilisation). ECPA’s aim was to advise the Albanian government at strategic level with regard to police matters, so that Albania would in time be able to conform to western European standards.
PAMECA I was a project implemented in the framework of PHARE project. This project lasted from December 2002 until December 2004. The objective of PAMECA I was to offer assistance to the ASP in the framework of Stabilization and Association process and compliance with the EU standards.
PAMECA II was a project implemented in the framework of CARDS program. This project lasted from December 2004 until December 2007 with a total fund of 6,542,980 euros. The objectives of PAMECA II were: i) Improvement of institutional and operational capacities of the ASP in the fight against crime and in ensuring public order; ii) Strengthening cooperation between the police and the prosecution – judicial; iii) Assistance to the police in its efforts to enhance public trust.
PAMECA III was a project implemented in the framework of IPA program. PAMECA III was implemented from May 2008 until May 2011 with an extension until May 2012. The initial fund was 5,518,790. The additional fund for the extension took the total funding at 6,8 million euros. The overall objective of the project was to improve the work of the ASP structures in order to ensure trust, security and a safe environment for the Albanian citizens through the EU standards and the technical assistance by the EU member states.
PAMECA IV June 2013- March 2017 ’Consolidation of Law Enforcement Capacities in Albania’’. The total fund of the project is 4 million euros in the framework of IPA program. (The project has been extended from October 2016 until March 2017)
PAMECA V – “Consolidation to Law Enforcement Agencies – Support to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Albanian State Police and Prosecutor Offices” was funded by the European Commission under IPA 2015. The project which started on 20th of April 2017 and was forseen for a total of 40 months until August 2020, was granted a no-cost extension until December 15th 2021.
The project had a total budget of 6 million euros. The overall objective of PAMECA V project was to improve the capacities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Albanian State Police (ASP), prosecutor offices and their supporting structures in meeting their objectives and responding to local community needs in terms of public security and border management challenges.
