Legal Position of Family Members in the Context of Family Reunion: Albania Case

Abstract

Albania has today transposed all directives relating to immigration and asylum presented by the EU and participates in the negotiations about new migration and asylum measures at the regional level. As it is well known, the right to family reunification is a key component of the core principles for respecting family life of migrants. In treating aliens, Albanian legislation does respect the principles of non-discrimination and equality before the law. The aim of this study is to show that Albanian legislation does guarantee the integration and family reunification of foreigners like other countries in the European Union.Actually this institute is regulated by Law No. 108/2013 ‘On Aliens’ adopted on 28 March 2013. The Law is considered to be fully compatible with the EU legislation. Even there are difficulties, in particular to judicial and administrative aspects offamily reunion, the legal position of family members is considered to be similar to the other foreigner in the same conditions. Legal positions of family members, who hold a permanent residence permit or a long term resident’s EC residence permits, or a permanent right of residence is stronger than thefamily members in short stay.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2017.v8n3p243