ALBANIANS AND THEIR NEIGHBORS: IS THE STATUS QUO ACCEPTABLE?
November 15-16, 2002, Lucerne, Switzerland
A new Project on Ethnic Relations' report on the topic of Albanians and Their Neighbors is now available at http://www.per-usa.org/albanians_lucerne.pdf.

Kosovo's Ethnic Dilemma: The Need for a Civic Contract
A simple but effective formula exists for peace in diverse societies. It consists of a civic contract: the government recognises and supports special rights for minorities, and minorities acknowledge the authority of the government. No elements of such a contract currently exist in Kosovo. The Albanians remain reluctant to support enhanced rights for the Serb minority, and the Serb community does not recognise the authority of Kosovo's institutions. Moreover, Kosovo is not a state and the future status of the province remains unresolved. After four years of United Nations authority in Kosovo, the foundation of this civic contract and of sustainable peace has not been laid.
Instead the status dilemma has become a zero-sum game. The Albanians will accept nothing less than independence, and the Serbs firmly want to remain part of Serbia. Serbs argue that their rights will not be protected in an independent Kosovo. Albanians believe that their security will only be guaranteed with independence, and threaten renewed conflict if their independence aspirations are not met.
Pristina/Brussels, 28 May 2003
http://www.crisisweb.org/projects/showreport.cfm?reportid=983

AIIS Study: "Albania and EU: Perceptions and Realities"
ALBANIAN INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (AIIS)
Rr. "Deshmoret e 4 Shkurtit", Nr. 7/1, Tirana Albania
Tel: +355 42 488 53 Fax: +355 4 270 337
E-mail: aiis@icc.al.eu.org
Website: http://www.aiis-albania.org
  Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) conducted a survey with Public Administration, Media, Local NGOs and Business groups in Tirana.  The aim of the survey was to assess perceptions of and knowledge on European Union and EU integration for Albania.   These groups were chosen because they are both immediately responsible for and directly affected by the integration process.

State of the Nation 2003
This annual 'state of the nation' report warns that grave social and economic problems could become tomorrow's political problems if left unaddressed. After long confrontation, the ruling Socialist Party and opposition Democratic Party have agreed to cooperate but the consensus is already unravelling, and political tensions are expected to rise as local elections approach in October. Albania began negotiations with the EU on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement in 2002. The overall economic performance remains satisfactory, and Albania is a key factor in regional stability. However, organised crime has increased, the judiciary is weak, unemployment is high, productivity low, and there are severe environmental problems and an energy crisis. Endemic corruption and an inefficient public sector hamper institutional reform.
For the full report, please see CrisisWeb - http://www.crisisweb.org