1. EU ACCESSION COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK Ohrid, 21-22 September 2006

2. GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES USED FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION Ministry of European Integration Sector of Documentation and Communication with the Public Sector of Documentation and Communication with the Public Line Ministries Integration Units Integration Units

3. RELIABLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND THEIR ACTIVITIES Sector of Documentation and Communication with the Public: disseminate and stimulate research in the field of European integration disseminate and stimulate research in the field of European integration enable that the information on EU and its policies be tangible to the public enable that the information on EU and its policies be tangible to the public Integration Units disseminate specialized information to the public on relevant fields disseminate specialized information to the public on relevant fields

4. RELIABLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND THEIR ACTIVITIES Many people, especially students come to visit the Sector of Documentation and Communication with the Public and take information about EU in general, the Albanian experience in the process of European integration and also consult with the library of this Sector. Many people, especially students come to visit the Sector of Documentation and Communication with the Public and take information about EU in general, the Albanian experience in the process of European integration and also consult with the library of this Sector. From June to September 2006 about 50 people from public administration, academics and public in general have come to this Sector for information. From June to September 2006 about 50 people from public administration, academics and public in general have come to this Sector for information.

5. OTHER ACTIVITIES REGARDING PUBLIC INFORMATION After the signing of the SAA between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Albania, with the request of the business community which is the first to be faced with the implementation of the Agreement, the Ministry of European Integration has prepared a booklet On business. After the signing of the SAA between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Albania, with the request of the business community which is the first to be faced with the implementation of the Agreement, the Ministry of European Integration has prepared a booklet On business. Its aim is to inform these stakeholders regarding the SAA and Interim Agreement, liberalization of trade and reduction of customs tariffs. Its aim is to inform these stakeholders regarding the SAA and Interim Agreement, liberalization of trade and reduction of customs tariffs. With the request of the business community, 5 seminars were held in different cities of Albania, to promote the booklet. With the request of the business community, 5 seminars were held in different cities of Albania, to promote the booklet.

6. ORGANISATION OF THE EUROPEAN WEEK On 2-8 May 2006, MEI has organized The European Week. On 2-8 May 2006, MEI has organized The European Week. 62 students from different cities of Albania took part in the competition Knowledge on EU and integration process organized by the Ministry. 62 students from different cities of Albania took part in the competition Knowledge on EU and integration process organized by the Ministry.

7. OTHER RELIABLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION Delegation of the European Commission in Albania : disseminate information on the EU, disseminate information on the EU, inform the Albanian general public, decision makers about the integration process, EU institutions and its policies. inform the Albanian general public, decision makers about the integration process, EU institutions and its policies.

8. MEDIA Media is an active participant in the field of information activity: After the signing of the SAA media played a major role through TV, radio and newspapers. After the signing of the SAA media played a major role through TV, radio and newspapers. TV broadcasted programs which explain the process of European Integration, the obligations and the benefits of Albania from the SAA, the process of approximation of Albanian legislation with acquis communautaire. TV broadcasted programs which explain the process of European Integration, the obligations and the benefits of Albania from the SAA, the process of approximation of Albanian legislation with acquis communautaire. Internet, leaflets, publications, play a great role to improve the general knowledge of public on EU enlargement. Internet, leaflets, publications, play a great role to improve the general knowledge of public on EU enlargement.

9. SURVEY Ministry of European Integration in the frame of the Information and Communication Strategy in cooperation with the GTZ is preparing questionnaires for a broad survey. Ministry of European Integration in the frame of the Information and Communication Strategy in cooperation with the GTZ is preparing questionnaires for a broad survey. It shall be addressed to public administration, business community, civil society and media. It shall be addressed to public administration, business community, civil society and media. It shall identify in right time the problems of the implementation of the SAA. It shall identify in right time the problems of the implementation of the SAA.

10. CONCLUSIONS Albanian people are optimistic about our countrys accession to the European Union. Their only doubt is how long it will take the process of integration and membership. Albanian people are optimistic about our countrys accession to the European Union. Their only doubt is how long it will take the process of integration and membership. The most informed group about the integration process are the students and public administration. The most informed group about the integration process are the students and public administration. The most unaware groups are the elderly and the unemployed. The most unaware groups are the elderly and the unemployed. Much more efforts are needed to reach these groups. Much more efforts are needed to reach these groups. Explain to them what opportunities the EU offers. Explain to them what opportunities the EU offers. It will be necessary to orientate them in the right and simple way. It will be necessary to orientate them in the right and simple way.