Brussels pledges 81 mln euro to back Albania's reforms

The funds will be used to address key priorities such as the reform of the judiciary, fight against organised crime, and the reform of the public administration system, the Commission said in a press release.

They will also help improve Albania's transport infrastructure, modernise water and sanitation systems, and set up a range of services for social inclusiveness. Infrastructure funding will contribute to constructing the Rrogozhina bypass and the rehabilitation of the sewerage system in seaside resort of Vlora.

"The funding earmarked today comes under the 2012 annual programme for Albania of the EU's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), and will be topped up with an additional 15 million euro of co-financing by Albanian authorities," the Commission said.

($=0.7729 euro)