"Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) is a non-governmental, non-profit research and policy institute created in recognition of the need for independent, in-depth analysis of the complex issues surrounding Albania's security. AIIS was founded by a group of academics and analysts with extensive experience on foreign policy and policy-making issues. Since then, AIIS has sharpened its technical capacities to become a leading think-tank trusted by Albanian policy-makers and international partners in the fields of security studies, democracy, Euro-Atlantic integration and regional cooperation. In order to promote discussion and debate among the policy community, AIIS engages Albanian and international scholars as well as provides its products free of charge on its website. These services are made possible by the contributions of national and international donor community to fund its activities. As a results-oriented, methodologically interdisciplinary team, AIIS aims to produce timely advice as well as analysis to the challenges facing Albania's policy-makers. Given the changing nature of security threats, AIIS has turned to domestic issues such as democratization as primary challenges to a secure and stable Albania. Having carved out a niche in the policy-making environment, AIIS has become an important partner in Albania's road to democratization and market economy." Source: AIIS website, as accessed in February 2007.