RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/ACC/ALB/40/Rev.2
6 September 1999
(99-3690)
Working Party on the
Accession of AlbaniaOriginal:  English
ACCESSION OF ALBANIA
Implementation of Draft Laws, Amendments, and Decisions of the
Council of Ministers for Compliance with WTO Agreements
Revision
The Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Trade of the Republic of Albania has submitted
the following revised Chart on the Implementation of Draft Laws, Amendments, and Decisions of the
Council of Ministers for Compliance with WTO Agreements, with the request that it be circulated tomembers of the Working Party.
_______________WT/ACC/ALB/40/Rev.2
Page 2
Draft Laws, Amendments, or
Decisions of the Council of MinistersRelevance of the Law or Decision to WTO
Compliance, by AgreementDate of Implementation
Agreement on Agriculture
Albania is in compliance with the Agreement on Agriculture.  No
additional changes in laws or decisions of the Council of Ministersare required for Albania to be in compliance with WTO.There are no laws or decisions being
drafted or amendedNot applicable.
Agreements on SPS
The following are separate drafts of Decisions of the Council of
Ministers:
1. "Criteria and Competencies in the Fields of Standardization,
Certification, and Accreditation", Number 371, dated 04.08.99.
2. "Exchange of Information on Standards and Technical
Regulations", Number 372, dated 04.08.99.
3. "The Approval of the Code of Good Practices for Adoption,
Approval and Application of Standards", Decision of the Councilof Ministers, Number 242, dated 28.05.99.
4. Draft Order of the Prime Minister on "Sending of Legal and
Sub-legal Acts Affecting Trade".
5. Order of the Prime Minister on the "Guidelines for Early
Notification of Drafts Related to Sanitary and Phytosanitary
Measures", Number 55, dated 24.08.99.1-2. To be in compliance with SPS.
3. To be in compliance with SPS.
4. This ensures that the enquiry point will
have access to legal and sub-legal draft
texts for advance notification to the WTO
for comment.
5. This ensures that import licenses in the
future will be in compliance with WTOprovisions;  will provide for early
notification for future draft SPS measures.1-2. In force since September 1999.
3. In force since May 1999.
4-5. By September 1999.WT/ACC/ALB/40/Rev.2
Page 3Draft Laws, Amendments, or
Decisions of the Council of MinistersRelevance of the Law or Decision to WTO
Compliance, by AgreementDate of Implementation
The following are amendments to legislation:
1. "On Some Changes to the Law Number 7643, On State
Sanitory Inspectorate"
2. "On Some Changes to the Law on Food"
3. "On Some Changes to the Law on Albanian Veterinary
Service", Number 7941, dated 31.05.1995"
4. "On Some Changes to Decision of the Council of Ministers: On
Pesticides, Number 584, dated 06.12.1993"
5. "On Some Changes to the Law on Seeds and Saplings, Number
7659, dated 12.01.1993"1-5. To be in compliance with the standstill
and transparency provisions of SPS.1-5. At the end of September 1999.
Agreement on Textiles and Clothing
Albania is in compliance with the Agreement on Textiles and
Clothing.  No additional changes in laws or decisions of the
Council of Ministers are required for Albania to be in compliance
with WTO.There are no laws or decisions being
drafted or amendedNot applicable.
Agreements on TBT
The following are separate drafts of Decisions of the Council of
Ministers:
1. "Exchange of Information on Standards and Technical
Regulations", Number 372, dated 04.08.99.
2. "The Preparation, Adoption and Application of Technical
Regulations and the Procedures for Assessment of Conformity
with Technical Regulations and Standards", Number 323, dated
08.07.19991-2. To be in compliance with TBT. 1. In force in September 1999.
2. In force in July 1999.
3. Draft Order of the Council of Ministers on "Sending Legal and
Sub-legal Acts Affecting Trade"3. To ensure that legal and sub-legal texts
are provided to the enquiry point for early
notification to the WTO.3. To be in force by the end of September.WT/ACC/ALB/40/Rev.2
Page 4
Draft Laws, Amendments, or
Decisions of the Council of MinistersRelevance of the Law or Decision to WTO
Compliance, by AgreementDate of Implementation
Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures
Albania is in compliance with the Agreement on Trade-Related
Investment Measures.  No additional changes in laws or decisions
of the Council of Ministers are required for Albania to be incompliance with WTO.There are no laws or decisions being
drafted or amendedNot applicable.
Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994
The anti-dumping agreement is covered by the Law "On
Antidumping", Number 8466, dated 24.03.99.  The following are
separate drafts of Decisions of the Council of Ministers:
1. "The Organization and Function of the Anti-dumping Office"
2. "The Definitions and Fulfillment of the Application Forms"3. "The Content of the Public Notice for the Initiation of the
Investigation"
4. "The Confidential Information"5. The Public File (Registry) of the Antidumping Office"6. The Notice of the Final Decisions"The Council of Ministers is charged to
issue the bylaws related to the Law on
Antidumping.
1. By the end of 1999.
2. By the end of 1999.
3. By the end of 1999.
4. By the end of 1999.
5. By the end of 1999.6. By the end of 1999.
Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994
"Customs Code", Law Number 8449, dated 27.01.99.
"Implementing Provisions of the Customs Code", Decision of the
Council of Ministers, Number 205, dated 13.04.99.
The Interpretive Notes of the WTO Customs Valuation
Agreement are part of the Implementing Provisions of the
Customs Code, Annex 6, "Interpretive Notes for Customs
Valuation"The Customs Code of Albania defines
Albania's customs procedures.
The Decision of the Council of Ministers,
Number 205 are the implementing
provisions which are in compliance with
customs valuation procedures.  Albania isin compliance with the Customs Valuation
Agreement and the Implementation of
Article VII of GATT 1994.Albania is in compliance since May 15,
1999 with the adoption of the Customs
Code and the Implementing Provisions of
the Customs Code.WT/ACC/ALB/40/Rev.2
Page 5Draft Laws, Amendments, or
Decisions of the Council of MinistersRelevance of the Law or Decision to WTO
Compliance, by AgreementDate of Implementation
Agreements on Pre-Shipment Inspection
Pre-shipment inspection is covered by the Customs Code, Article
11(4), last sentence of the paragraph.Provision on pre-shipment inspection. No further action required.
Agreement on Rules of Origin
Rules of Origin are covered by the "Implementing Provisions of
the Customs Code", Decision of the Council of Ministers, Number
205, dated 13.04.99.To be in compliance with rules of origin. Implemented since May 1999.
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures
The following are laws that are to be amended:
1. "On Seeds and Saplings", No. 7659, dated 12.01.93
2. "Law on Veterinary Services", No. 7674, dated 23.02.933. "Law on Plant Protection Services", No. 7662, dated 19.01.934. Order of the Minister on "Guidelines on Import Licensing",
Number 55, dated 24.08.99.1-3. The changes in these laws are to
simplify the licensing procedures.
4. To be in compliance with WTO import
licensing procedures.1. At the end of September.
2. At the end of September.3. At the end of September.4. In September.
Agreement on Subsides and Countervailing Measures
Albania is in compliance with the Agreement on Subsidies and
Countervailing Measures.  No additional changes in laws or
decisions of the Council of Ministers are required for Albania to
be in compliance with WTO.The drafting of a law on countervailing
measures has been suspended.  The
Republic of Albania will reconsider its
decision to draft such a law after accession;
if Albania chooses to draft this legislation
it will be done according to WTO
procedures.Not applicable.WT/ACC/ALB/40/Rev.2
Page 6
Draft Laws, Amendments, or
Decisions of the Council of MinistersRelevance of the Law or Decision to WTO
Compliance, by AgreementDate of Implementation
Agreements on Safeguards
Albania is in compliance with the Agreement on Safeguards.  No
additional changes in laws or decisions of the Council of Ministers
are required or Albania to be in compliance with WTO.The drafting of a law on safeguards has
been suspended.  The Republic of Albania
will reconsider its decision to draft such a
law after accession; if Albania chooses to
draft this legislation it will be done
according to WTO procedures.Not applicable.
General Agreement on Trade in Services
The following are laws that are being amended:
1. "Law on Insurance and Reinsurance Companies"
2. "Law on Investment Funds"
The following are draft laws:
3. "Law on Theaters"
4. "Law on Libraries"1. Eliminates the restriction on joint
ventures.
2. Seeks to improve the securities regime,
and provide a framework for asset
management.
3. To create conditions on market access
for private foreign and domestic service
providers on theaters, live bands, operas.
4. To create conditions on market access
for private foreign and domestic library
service providers.1. Two years from the time of accession.
2. One year from the time of accession.
3. At the end of October 1999.
4. At the end of October 1999.WT/ACC/ALB/40/Rev.2
Page 7Draft Laws, Amendments, or
Decisions of the Council of MinistersRelevance of the Law or Decision to WTO
Compliance, by AgreementDate of Implementation
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
Albania is in compliance with TRIPs.  The following have been
substantive changes in legislation to be in compliance.
The following are amendments to laws:1. "On Copyright"2. "On Some Changes to the Law on Copyright"
The following are Laws and draft Decisions of the Council of
Ministers:
3. Law "On Protection of Topographies of Integrated Circuits"
Number 8488, dated 13.05.99
4. Law "On Some Changes and Supplements on the Law No.
7819, dated 27.04.94, For Industrial Property", Number 8477,
dated 22.04.99Compliance with TRIPs
1. To be in compliance with retroactivity
of protection of works related to Article 18
of the Berne Convention.
2. To bring Albanian legislation in
compliance with the copyright provisions
of TRIPs.
3-4. To bring Albania patent and trademark
legislation in compliance with TRIPs; 4.
Also creates the Albanian Directorate of
Patent and Trademark.1. At the end of September.
2-4.  Are already enforced and will be in
compliance with WTO TRIPs Agreement.
Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft
Albania is in compliance with the Agreement on Trade in Civil
Aircrafts.  No additional changes in laws or decisions of the
Council of Ministers are required for WTO compliance.There are no laws or decisions being
drafted or amendedNot applicable.WT/ACC/ALB/40/Rev.2
Page 8
Draft Laws, Amendments, or
Decisions of the Council of MinistersRelevance of the Law or Decision to WTO
Compliance, by AgreementDate of Implementation
Agreement on Government Procurement
The following are separate drafts of Decisions of the Council of
Ministers:
1. "The Standard Tender Document for the Pre-Qualification of
Goods"
2. "The Standard Tender Document for the Pre-Qualification of
Construction"
3. "The Standard Tender Document for the Procurement of Goods
(Those which are Large and Complex)"Compliance with government
procurement.
1-8. At the Council of Ministers; approval
expected at the end of 1999.
4. "The Standard Tender Document for the Procurement ofSystems (Those which are Large and Complex) for
Telecommunication, Information Technology, etc."
5. "The Standard Tender Document for the Procurement of
Construction (Those which are Large and Complex)"
6. "The Standard Tender Document for the Procurement of Whole
Services (Those which are Large and Complex)"
7. "The Standard Tender Document for the Procurement of
Complex Services (for which the Value and Duration are
Specified)
8. "The Standard Tender Document for the Procurement of Basic
Services (for which the Value and Duration are Specified)"These Decisions will provide transparent
rules for submission of tenders in the
specified areas.
Other Legislation
Excise taxes:
The following are laws that are being amended:
1. "On Some Changes to the Law Number 8437 (On Excise
Taxes), dated 28.12.98"To eliminate discriminating excise taxes
rates and categories.1. Approved 07.07.99, Number 8507.WT/ACC/ALB/40/Rev.2
Page 9Draft Laws, Amendments, or
Decisions of the Council of MinistersRelevance of the Law or Decision to WTO
Compliance, by AgreementDate of Implementation
Export prohibitions:
All Decisions of the Council of Ministers on export prohibitions
related to tariff lines under Chapter 41.01-41.03, Chapter 72.04,
and Chapter 74.01-74.19 of the HS will be repealed.To be in compliance with rules on exports
Albania will lift export prohibitions on the
goods listed in the relevant chapters.At the end of September 1999.
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