The aim of the conference was to examine aspects of aid effectiveness, paying attention to the EU Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) given its decisive role in preparing the Western Balkan countries for their future EU membership. The conference addressed: Effective assistance for reforms, discussing how better results can be achieved through better planning and implementation of financial assistance; Adequate capacity for absorbing financial assistance, devoting particular attention to the sound preparation of countries for the implementation of the Regional, Human Resources and Rural Development Components of IPA; Linkage of EU objectives and country sector strategies in programming of assistance, taking stock of the progress made in the donor co-ordination process; Adapting financial instruments to current challenges, focusing on the needs of the countries and the impact of the current global crisis.

The Department of Strategy and Donor Co-ordination (DSDC) Director, Valbona Kuko presented the progress made on IPS and elaborated how Albania has developed and implemented sector strategies that underpin the National Strategy for Development and Integration, how far these strategies were supported by public expenditure frameworks and how external assistance is linked to government priorities. To view materials from the conference, please click here.