THE ALBANIAN PUBLIC'S TRUST IN SECURITY: STUMBLING BLOCKS TO EU NEGOTIATIONS Crime constituted a great concern as it pertains to public perception. Continuing, we will analyze the most important factors on the public perceptions in Albania with relation to the greatest perceived threats to public safety, the reasons why this data is dissimilar to the EU average, and the public perceptions and expectations related to the institutions that are supposed to fight such phenomena. 4. The Perennial Problems of Corruption and Organized Crime. In this section, we will be discussing the main perceived problems in Albania relating to public order, public safety, and issues of EU accession. If we refer to the ASB, nearly 86.55 percent of the public identified corruption and organized crime as the greatest obstacles to the process of EU accession. To what extent does the situation of corruption and organized crime hinder Albania's EU integration? 112.5 90. 86.55 67.5 45. 22.5 0. Very much 9.42 Somewhat 2.51 A little 0.9 Not at all 0.63 Don’t know Graph no.1 The extent of which the situation of corruption and organized crime stop EU integration When speaking about corruption and organized crime, from a practical and even an academic standpoint, it is impossible to study and partake in one such element without considering and treating the other. Indeed, such phenomena are closely related in their existence to each other, it is a symbiotic relationship. For a long time, corruption has been identified as a defining characteristic of organized crime. It would be impossible to operate and commit such criminal acts in an organized, and, in some cases even industrialized fashion, without support from corrupt state actors at some level. 52 52 Examining the Links Between Organized Crime and Corruption. CSD. Page 33. 69