Albania prepares legal framework for EU budget contributions

The Albanian government is preparing a legal framework to manage the country's financial contribution to the European Union budget following its accession. A draft law from the Ministry of Finance, currently out for public consultation, outlines the rules for calculating, financing, reporting, and transferring these funds.

The contribution will be linked to the EU’s ‘own resources’ system. This includes traditional resources, sources based on Value Added Tax (VAT), and those based on Gross National Income (GNI). The draft specifically mentions resources related to non-recyclable plastic packaging waste.

Payments will not be determined unilaterally by Albanian authorities but will be made based on requests from the European Commission through ‘calls for funds’ that specify amounts and deadlines. To manage these financial flows, a special ‘National Contribution Account’ will be established at the Bank of Albania, owned by the Republic of Albania and administered by the Ministry of Finance.