When will Albania join the EU? Will accession help Albania to achieve prosperity, stability and prosperity? What factors are helping it towards this end and what factors are holding it back? An original study of Albania and its relations with the EU, this is the first book to identify and analyse the problems of the country as it moves towards membership of the Union. It explores the political, economic and social transformations needed to make Albanian membership possible. The authors highlight the enormous democratic changes that have occurred in post-communist Albania as well as the many obstacles that still remain. This balanced and objective assessment will be an essential resource for everyone interested in the history and future of the Balkans and the EU.

Mirela Bogdani is a Researcher and Lecture in Politics and Policies of the EU at the School of European Studies, Cardiff University. John Loughlin is Professor of European Politics at Cardiff University.

European Integration and the Transformation of the Democratic State: Theoretical and Contextual Issues * Albania in 1990: at the crossroads between communism and democracy * The transition period: political and socio-economic situation of Albania. How far is Albania from meeting the Copenhagen criteria? * EU membership prospective for the countries of Western Balkans and Albania * The Political System: Albanian Political Parties and their attitude towards the EU * Clientelism, Corruption and Organised Crime: Serious barriers to EU membership * Policy making in Albania * The role of the elite and domestic actors * Local Government and Decentralisation * EU economic aid, assistance and programmes: How have they contributed to domestic reforms and development? * The impact of external forces on Albanian politics and policies * Conclusions * List of Interviewees * Bibliography