ZAKON O ARBITRAŽI I ARBITRAŽNA PRAKSA U ALBANIJI: KARAKTERISTIKE, IZAZOVI I PERSPEKTIVE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56461/SPZ_24404KJKljučne reči:
Albanija, alternativno rešavanje sporova, arbitraža, sudska intervencija, izvršenje stranih arbitražnih odluka, direktne strane investicije, međunarodno investiciono pravo.Apstrakt
Arbitraža je, kao alternativni mehanizam rešavanja sporova, doživela značajnu ekspanziju širom sveta. Razlog za to je prvenstveno konsensualna priroda arbitraže, učešće “nevladinih” sudija, kao i efikasnost, fleksibilnost i poverljivost arbitraže kao takve. U Albaniji, međunarodna arbitraža je i dalje obećavajući put za rešavanje trgovinskih i sporova između države i investitora, posebno ako se imaju u vidu napori zemlje na konsolidovanju tržišta i postizanju dublje integracije u regionalnoj i globalnoj ekonomiji. Međutim, i u oblasti arbitražne, i to posebno domaće, postoje određeni izazovi, imajući u vidu nastojanja Albanije da osigura efikasnu vladavinu prava. U ovom radu dat je pregled pravnog okvira za arbitražu prema albanskom domaćem zakonu, kao i prema važećem međunarodnom pravu. Nakon toga biće analizirano trenutno stanje arbitražne prakse u Albaniji, različite percepcije te prakse i izazovi koji postoje u toj oblasti, kao i perspektive za unapređenje iste.
##plugins.generic.usageStats.downloads##
Reference
Blackaby, N., Partasides, C. & Redfern, A. Hunter, M. 2015. Redfern and Hunter on International Arbitration. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/law/9780198714248.001.0001
Born, G. B. 2001. International Commercial Arbitration: Commentary and Materials. Transnational Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004502222
Carlson, S. N. 1995. Foreign Investment Laws and FDI in Developing Countries: Albania’s experiment. The International Lawyer, 29(3), pp. 577-598.
Emmond, P., Tefta, Z. & Përparim. K. 2007. Arbitrazhi dhe Ndërmjetësimi. Tiranë: Shkolla e Magjistraturës së Republikës së Shqipërisë.
Ferreres Comella, V. 2021. The Liberal Case for Arbitration. In: The Constitution of Arbitration. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (Comparative Constitutional Law and Policy), pp. 9-30. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108906395.002
Gaillard, E. 2023. Seven dirty tricks to disrupt an arbitration and the responses of international arbitration law. Arbitration International, 39(3), pp. 361-378. https://doi.org/10.1093/arbint/aiad037
Gjuzi, J. 2008. Selected Aspects of the International and Domestic Legal Regime Governing Foreign Investments in Albania: Present Structure and Future Challenges. Master of Law and Business thesis.Hamburg: Bucerius Law School/WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management . Available at: www.gbv.de/dms/buls/631008780.pdf, 1. 12. 2024.
Gjuzi, J. & Nowrot, K. 2024. Admission and Establishment of Foreign Direct Investments in Albania: A Predominantly Liberal Approach with Certain Exceptions. Zeitschrift für das Recht der Außenwirtschaft, Sanktionen und Auslandsinvestitionen (ZASA), 6, pp. 329-333 Available at: https://cdn-assetservice.ecom-api.beck-shop.de/productattachment/toc/15367765/35709766_2024_06_18_zasa_06_inhaltsverzeichnis.pdf, 1. 12. 2024.
Halili, E. & Turši, D. 2023. New Era Begins in Albania: Parliament Passes Arbitration Law. Kluwer Arbitration Blog. Available at: https://arbitrationblog.kluwerarbitration.com/2023/08/19/new-era-begins-in-albania-parliament-passes-arbitration-law/, 1. 12. 2024.
Langford, M., Potesta, M., Kaufmann-Kohler, G. & Behn, D. 2020. Special Issue: UNCITRAL and Investment Arbitration Reform: Matching Concerns and Solutions: Introduction. Journal of World Investment & Trade, 21(2-3), pp. 167-187. https://doi.org/10.1163/22119000-12340171
Lew, J. D. M. 2009. Does National Court Involvement Undermine the International Arbitration Process? American University International Law Review, 24(3), pp. 489-537.
Roberts, A. 2017. The Shifting Landscape of Investor-State Arbitration: Loyalists, Reformists, Revolutionaries and Undecideds. EJIL: Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law, 15. Available at: https://www.ejiltalk.org/the-shifting-landscape-of-investor-state-arbitration-loyalists-reformists-revolutionaries-and-undecideds/, 1. 12. 2024.
Spahiu, A. 2015. Konventa e Nju Jork-ut dhe instrumentet juridike të njohjes dhe ekzekutimit të vendimeve të arbitrazhit ndërkombëtar në Shqipëri, PhD thesis (Alb).
Spahiu, A. 2017. Recognition and Enforcement of International Arbitral Awards in Albania. Current challenges to the Albanian Domestic Law. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2(4), pp. 52-63. https://doi.org/10.26417/ejms.v4i4.p52-63
Tafaj, K. F. & Çinari, S. 2015. Zgjidhjet Alternative të Mosmarrëveshjeve. Tirana: Albas.
Tafaj, K. F. & Çinari, S. 2023b. Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Albania, European Business Organization Law Review, 24, pp. 677-691. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40804-023-00270-w
Tafaj, K. F. & Çinari, S. 2023a. Njohje me legjislacionin e ri. Parimi kompetenz/kompetenz në ligjin e ri shqiptar të arbitrazhit. Jeta Juridike, 1, pp. 83-104
Tafaj K. F. & Vokshi, A. 2016. Procedurë Civile, Pjesa e Dytë. Tirana: Albas.
Timmermans, W. A. 1993. The 1992 Albanian Foreign Investment Law. Review of Central and East European Law, 19(5), pp. 553-567.
Williamson, J. 2004. The Washington Consensus as a Policy Prescription for Development, A lecture in the series “Practitioners of Development”, World Bank 13 January 2004. Peterson Institute for International Economics. Available at: https://www.piie.com/sites/default/files/publications/papers/williamson0204.pdf, 1. 12. 2024.
Legal Sources
Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States, signed in Washington DC on 18 March 1965: United Nations Treaty Series (1966), Vol. 575, p. 160, No. 8359, adhered by Albania by means of Law no. 7515, dated 1 October 1991, ratified on 15 October 1991, and entered into force on 14 November 1991.
Council of Ministers’ Decision no. 26, dated 4 January 1991 “On the approval of the Regulation for the examination of cases by the state arbitration”.
Council of Ministers’ Decision no. 686, dated 19 October 2007 “On the approval of the production sharing agreement concluded between Albpetrol SHA and Sherwood International Petroleum Ltd for the development and production of hydrocarbons in the oilfield of Kucova.”
Council of Ministers’ Decision no. 543, dated 1 May 2008 “On the approval of the concession contract BOT between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy and the Company Hasi Energji SHPK for the construction of the Lengarica 1 and Lengarica 2 hydropower plants.”
Council of Ministers’ Decision no. 699, dated 16 August 2013 “On the approval of the petroleum agreements between Albpetrol SHA and Phoenix Petroleum SHA for the development and production of hydrocarbons in the oil fields of Amonica, Drashovica, Pekisht-Murriz and gas fields of Panaja, Frakull, Povelçë, Divjakë, Ballaj-Kryevidh dhe Finiq-Krane.
Council of Ministers’ Decision no. 466, dated 30 July 2021 “On the approval of the strategy for the development of business and investments 2021 – 2027 and of its action plan.”
Council of Ministers’ Decision no. 402, dated 9 June 2022 “On the approval of the production sharing contract for the development and production of hydrocarbons in the natural gas field Frakull, Albania between Albpetrol SHA and EDG Natural Gas SHPK.
Council of Ministers’ Decision no. 790, dated 28 December 2023 “On the approval of the general analytical program of draft-bills that shall be submitted for consideration to the Council of Ministers during the year 2024.”
Decision of the Parliament of Albania no. 80/2021 “On the non-approval of the draft decision “For the establishment of the investigation committee of the Parliament “For the control of the legality of the actions and omissions of the state institutions and public officials in matters that have resulted in the arbitral award “Becchetti and others vs. Albania”.”
Decree no. 682, dated 4 November 1993 “On the dissolution of state arbitration.”
Decree no. 1872, dated 7 May 1954 “On the state arbitration.”
Decree no. 4359, dated 16 January 1968 “On the arbitration of foreign commerce near the Chamber of Commerce of the Popular Socialist Republic of Albania.”
Decree no. 5009, dated 10 November 1972 “On the state arbitration” as amended.
European Convention on International Commercial Arbitration, signed in Geneva on 21 April 1961: United Nations Treaty Series (1963–64), Vol. 484, p. 364, No. 7041, adhered by Albania by means of Law no. 8687, dated 9 November 2000.
Law no. 7424, dated 14 November 1990 “On state arbitration.”
Law no. 7515, dated 1 October 1991 “On the membership of the Republic of Albania in the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Finance Corporation, the International Development Association the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes.”
Law no. 7594, dated 4 August 1992 “On foreign investments.”
Law no. 7746 of 28 July 1993 “Petroleum Law (Exploration and Production).”
Law no. 7760, dated 14 October 1993 “On the ratification of the Convention between the Republic of Albania and Greece for the mutual judicial assistance in civil and criminal cases.”
Law no. 7764, dated 2 November 1993 “On foreign investments.”
Law no. 7796, dated 17 February 1994 “Mining Law of Albania.”
Law no. 7973, dated 26 July1995 “On concessions and the participation of the private sector in public services and infrastructure.”
Law no. 8036, dated 22 November 1995 “On the ratification of the Convention for the mutual judicial assistance in civil, commercial and criminal cases between the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Turkey.”
Law no. 8116, dated 29 March 1996 “The Code of Civil Procedure of the Republic of Albania.”
Law no. 8261, dated 11 December 1997 “On the ratification of the Energy Charter Treaty and the Energy Charter Protocol on Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects.”
Law no. 8417, dated 21 October 1998 “The Constitution of the Republic of Albania.”
Law no. 8761, dated 2 April 2001 “On the approval of the Concession Agreement of the type BOT between the Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization and the Turkish company Ber-Oner for certain objects of the copper and chrome industry as well as for the award of certain benefits and guarantees to the concessionaire of this agreement.”
Law no. 9663, dated 18 December 2006 “On concessions.”
Law no. 49/2012 “On administrative courts and the adjudication of administrative disputes.”
Law no. 125/2013 “On concessions and public-private partnership.”
Law no. 55/2015 “On strategic investments in the Republic of Albania.”
The Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, signed in New York on 10 June 1958: United Nations Treaty Series (1959), Vol. 330, p. 38, No. 4739, adhered by Albania under Law no. 8688, dated 9 November 2000.
Case Law
Anglo-Adriatic Group Limited v. Republic of Albania, ICSID Case No. ARB/17/6, Award, 7 February 2019.
Award of the Court of Arbitration at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Belgrade, 27 January 2009 (Galenika a.d. vs Jona Farma SHPK), recognized by the Albanian Court of Appeal as per Judgment no. 30-2018-6338, dated 1 October 2009.
Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd v. The Ministry of Energy and Industry of Albania and Albpetrol SHA, ICC Case No. 21349/EMT/GR, Final Award, 7 June 2024.
Burimi SRL and Eagle Games SH.A. v. Republic of Albania (ICSID Case No. ARB/11/18), Award, 29 May 2013.
ČEZ v. The Republic of Albania, UNCITRAL Rules, initiated on 16 May 2013, settled.
Durres Kurum Shipping SH.P.K., Durres Container Terminal SH.A, Metal Commodities Foreign Trade Corp. and Altberg Developments LP v. Republic of Albania (ICSID Case No. ARB/20/37), Award, 26 July 2024.
GBC Oil Company Ltd. v. Albania, Albpetrol, ICC Case No. 22676/GR, Award, 6 July 2020.
G.E. Transport s.p.a. and Athena s.a. v. Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunication, Republic of Albania, ICC Case 14403/FM, Final Award 28 July 2008 (ICC, Rome) (information taken from the enforcement decision of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Case 1:08-cv-02042-RMU, Doc. 16, 16 March 2010, and the subsequent CMD no. 386, dated 19 May 2010).
Hydro S.r.l., Costruzioni S.r.l., Francesco Becchetti, Mauro De Renzis, Stefania Grigolon, Liliana Condomitti v. Republic of Albania, ICSID Case No. ARB/15/28, Award, 24 April 2019, Decision on Annulment, 2 April 2021, Decision on rectification of the decision on annulment, 29 July 2021, Decision on the Claimants’ preliminary objections pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 41(5), 29 March 2023.
Hydro S.R.L. (Italy) v. Republic of Albania, ICC Case No. 20654/EMT/GR, Award of 7 September 2018.
Iliria S.r.l. v. Republic of Albania, Award, 3 September 1993.
Iliria S.r.l. v. Republic of Albania, ECHR, Judgment, 5 March 2024.
Ivicom Holding GmbH v. Republic of Albania, SCC Case No. 2021/155, Award, 26 June 2024.
Italstrade IS S.R.L. vs. Republic of Albania (Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications, General Directorate of Roads), ICC Case No. 13205 FM, Final Award 14 February 2006.
Kubota Corporation and Costruzioni Dondi S.p.A v. Albania, ICC case, Final Award 2023.
Mamidoil Jetoil Greek Petroleum Products Societe Anonyme S.A. v. Republic of Albania (ICSID Case No. ARB/11/24), Award, 30 March 2015.
Mrs. Mimoza Ndroqi v. Republic of Albania, PCA Case No. 2023-64, initiated in August 2022, pending.
Pantechniki S.A. Contractors & Engineers (Greece) v. The Republic of Albania, ICSID Case No. ARB/07/21, Award, 30 July 2009.
Sky Petroleum, Inc. v. Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Energy of Albania (Acting by and through the National Agency of Natural Resources), UNCITRAL Rules, Final Award, 7 May 2013.
Supreme Court Judgment no. 00-2015-3802, dated 16 July 2015 (R&T SHPK vs. General Customs Directorate).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 00-2018-1229, dated 27 December 2018 (Sekcuk Sencer Esenyel vs. Trade Minerals AL SHPK).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 5, dated 8 January 2013 (C.A.E. SHPK vs. Energji SHPK).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 92, dated 2 Mars 2010 (Colliers International SHPK vs. City Park SHPK).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 102, dated 28 September 2017 (Kaptan Metal Dis Ticaret Ve Nakliyat AS vs. Scutari Construction SHPK).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 142, dated 3 February 2022 (Opsion-2010 SHPK et al., vs. Albanian Road Authority, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 175, dated 24 April 2014 (S4E Group GmbH vs. KESH SHA).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 181, dated 1 June 2016 (2T SHPK vs. Iren Acqua e Gas (IAG) Dega Shqiperi).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 189, dated 1 June 2016 (Ark I. Post Engineering vs. Sphinx SHPK).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 284, dated 3 June 2015 (Ital Trade SHPK vs. Trapani Charter SHPK).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 356, dated 6 June 2013 (Marko Tel & Hes Kablo Albania SHPK vs. ZTE Albania SHPK).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 357, dated 5 July 2011 (City Park SHPK vs. MEDART).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 362, dated 6 June 2014 (SC Energy Holding Srl vs. KESH SHA).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 467, dated 18 September 2014 (Elona Banda, Erkin Banda vs. Lani SHPK).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 362, dated 22 July 2015 (Fyber SHPK vs. Hidro Invest SHPK and Alb-Star SHPK).
Supreme Court Judgment no. 580, dated 11 October 2023 (Edil Quattro SHPK vs. HCE Costruzioni S.p.a. (former Todini Construzioni Generali S.p.a.).
Supreme Court Unifying Judgment no. 6, dated 1 June 2011 (I.C.M.A. s.r.l, AGRI. BEN S.A.S v. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Republic of Albania).
TIS Park SHPK vs Municipality of Vlore (Albania), ICC arbitration, Paris (information taken from the Municipality of Vlore webpage, 2018. Available at: https://bashkiavlore.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2-KRITERET-PROCEDURES-MONITORING-COMMISSION.pdf, 1. 12. 2024.
The Joint Venture “JV Copri Construction Enterprises W.L.L. & Aktor Technical Societe Anonyme” 2. Copri Construction Enterprises W.L.L. 3. Aktor S.A. v. Albanian Road Authority under the Authority of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, ICC Case No. 23998/MHM/HBH (C-24011/MHM/HBH), Final Award, 1 September 2020.
Tradex Hellas S.A. v. Republic of Albania, ICSID Case No. ARB/94/2, Award, 29 April 1999.
Valeria Italia Srl v. Republic of Albania, PCA Case No. 2018-49, Award on Jurisdiction, 17 August 2021.
Internet Sources
Albanian Commercial Register available at: https://qkb.gov.al/, 30 September 2024.
Albanian Electronic Register on Public Notifications and Consultations, Available at: https://konsultimipublik.gov.al, 30. 9. 2024.
Albanian Parliament. 2024. Available at: https://www.parlament.al/, 30. 9. 2024.
BIRN, 2023. Albanian PM Threatens to Quit International Arbitration Body, 7 April 2023, Available at: https://balkaninsight.com/2023/04/07/albanian-pm-threatens-to-quit-international-arbitration-body/, 1. 12. 2024.
China-SEE Institute, 2023. It is time for Albania to pay! The costs of an international legal battle, Weekly Briefing, no. 61(2) (AI), April 2023, Available at: https://china-cee.eu/2023/04/25/albania-economy-briefing-it-is-time-for-albania-to-pay-the-costs-of-an-international-legal-battle/#_ftn9, 1. 12. 2024.
European Commission. 2023. Commission Staff Working Document, Albania 2023 Report accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, 2023 Communication on EU Enlargement policy, 8 November 2023 Available at: https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/albania-report-2023_en, 1 December 2024.
European Commission. 2024. Available at: https://commission.europa.eu/, 1. 12. 2024.
Freedom House. 2024. Nations Transit, Albania, Available at: https://freedomhouse.org/country/albania/nations-transit/2024, 1. 12. 2024.
ICC Albania. 2024. Survey Report: Arbitration in Albania 2024: Perceptions, Preferences and Expectations, Available at: https://icc-albania.org.al/survey-report-arbitration-in-albania-2024-perceptions-preferences-and-expectations/, 1. 12. 2024.
ICSID. 2024. Compliance with and enforcement of ICSID Awards, Background Paper Available at: https://icsid.worldbank.org/resources/publications/compliance-and-enforcement-icsid-awards, 1. 12. 2024.
Open Data Albania. 2023. Cases Lost in Arbitration: Issues and Liabilities of the Albanian State. May 2022, Available at: https://ndiqparate.al/?p=19599&lang=en, 30. 9. 2024.
Transparency International. 2023. Corruption Perceptions Index, Albania, Available at: https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023/index/alb, 1. 12. 2024.
UNCITRAL. 2024. Available at: https://uncitral.un.org/en/working_groups/3/investor-state, 30. 9. 2024.
UNCTAD. 2016. Investment Laws – A Widespread Tool for the Promotion and Regulation of Foreign Investment, Investment Policy Monitor, Special Issue, November 2016.
UNCTAD. 2017. Phase 2 of IIA reform: Modernizing the existing stock of old-generation treaties. IIA Issues Note, 2, Available at: http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/diaepcb2017d3_en.pdf, 1. 12. 2024.
UNCTAD. 2024b. Investment Dispute Settlement Navigator, Albania, Available at: https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-dispute-settlement/country/2/albania/investor, 30. 9. 2024.
UNCTAD. 2024a. International Investment Agreements Navigator, Albania, Available at: https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements, 30. 9. 2024.
World Bank Group. 1992. Guidelines on the Treatment of Foreign Direct Investment, Legal Framework for the Treatment of Foreign Investment: Volume II: Guidelines. Washington, D.C.: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank), Available at: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/955221468766167766/pdf/Guidelines.pdf, 1. 12. 2024.