The European Commission announced the EU's renewed financial support to Albania's reform efforts. The €81 million will fund projects to reform of the judiciary system, fight against organised crime, and the reform of the public administration system. In addition, infrastructure funding will contribute to constructing the Rrogozhina bypass, thus improving road transport and safety.

Albania will receive EU funding for a total value of a €81 million to carry out key reforms. In particular, 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. They will also help improve Albania's transport infrastructure, modernise water and sanitation systems, and set up a range of services for social inclusiveness. In October 2012, the Commission recommended granting EU candidate status to Albania subject to completion of key reform steps.

More particularly the funding will finance concrete projects in the area of justice reform and will improve the performance of the Albanian State Police. It will help build the new courthouse in Tirana and will restructure two border crossing points. Better financial and management control systems will be set up in local and national authorities, improving the efficiency of financial inspections. This will directly contribute to an effective and transparent use of public funds by the Albanian government. Infrastructure funding will contribute to constructing the Rrogozhina bypass, thus improving road transport and safety. They will also help rehabilitate the sewerage system in Vlora, which the European Commission expects to benefit the tourism industry in and around the sea-side resort.

The funding is being allocated 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 of co-financing by Albanian authorities. Since 2007, countries wishing to join the EU have received focused EU funding and support through a single channel – the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). The total pre-accession funding for the period 2007-2013 is €11.5 billion.