Krudttønden i baghaven 1999, digital version 2010 - BA Forlag

of central and eastern European countries sharing a common border with Member
States, in harmony with the European Union structural policies and with Interreg II in
particular.
The Albanian-Greek border region is predominantly peripheral or isolated, rural and partly
mountainous. It has a low population density with activities concentrated in specific subareas
and towns, such as Gjirokaster and Korce. The main economic activity is
agriculture and the region suffers from labour market problems and unemployment,
together with high levels of emigration to Greece. The provision of an effective
communications network is an essential first step in facilitating cooperation between the
border regions. Shortcomings in the existing infrastructure, particularly transport, pose
major obstacles to exploiting economic opportunities in the border region. Since 1991,
Albania has witnessed a rapid growth in car ownership and corresponding traffic flows.
The increase in heavy traffic is placing enormous burdens on existing infrastructure,
particularly at border crossings. Improvements to Albania's major road axes are crucial for
the country's economic development.
The 1995-1999 multi-annual indicative programme for Albania and Greece lays down a
multi-annual strategic context for cross-border cooperation between the two countries.
The main objective is to strengthen economic cooperation and overcome the socioeconomic
gap between the Greek and Albanian border areas. The emphasis is on
transport infrastructure, accounting for over 52 per cent of the total resources over the
period of the multi-annual indicative programme, reflecting the importance of upgrading
existing facilities and communications to provide a long-term basis for economic
development. The priorities and proposals for the 1997 cross-border cooperation
programme for Albania and Greece should be seen in the context of this and the
framework agreement signed in 1995, which provides the basis for agreement on the
coordination of cross-border cooperation activities.
The 1995 cross-border cooperation programme financed actions of a structural nature in
border regions of Albania sharing a common border with Greece. The main focus of the
programme was on funding large-scale road projects. The 1996 programme continued to
concentrate on the same districts as the 1995 programme, focusing on investment
activities to improve transport links and technical infrastructure, as well as projects to
protect the environment and support economic development; a financial allocation was
also made for small-scale local and regional projects.
The 1997 cross-border programme will concentrate on investment activities aimed at
improving the road and border crossing infrastructure in the border districts. Upgrading
sections of the north-south (Kakavija-Gjirokaster) and east-west corridors (Kapshtice-
Pogradec) are key priorities and previous cross-border cooperation programmes have
already allocated funding for rehabilitating these roads. The 1997 programme will provide
further co-financing for upgrading the north-south corridor. Past programmes have also
supported the construction of border crossing points and related infrastructure; the 1997
programme will continue to provide funds for this purpose.
The 1997 programme focuses on financing large-scale infrastructure which can be readily
and easily implemented. Due to the civil unrest in the respective border regions, it will not
be possible to include a financial allocation for small-scale local and regional projects in
1997; these will be considered for financing again in future years.
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