TIRANA, Sept 19 /ATA/- By Maela Marini/ Prime Minister Edi Rama stressed on Friday that the Ministry of Internal Affairs must be elevated to a higher level, enabling it to maintain a full 360-degree view of the internal affairs sector and effectively direct its course, as seen in ministries across EU countries.
During the introduction of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Albana Koçiu, the Prime Minister also highlighted the other areas covered by this ministry beyond the State Police, emphasizing the need to address issues within a broader scope of action.
Rama highlighted the longstanding issues with Albania’s addressing system, noting that despite decades of demographic and urban changes, including significant growth in Tirana, there is still no functional, integral system in place. People often have to find homes by asking around or using informal signs.
The Prime Minister also pointed out the outdated fire-fighting system.
“Although significant changes have occurred, fire services have consistently been treated as a lower priority. Meanwhile, the most pressing issue today, clearly demonstrated during this past summer and likely to remain a major challenge in the years ahead, is wildfires,” Rama stated.
The Prime Minister stressed that wildfire management has inevitably taken center stage as a domestic issue that requires a suitable strategy, effective organization, and progressively stronger resources each year.
Rama explained that due to Albania’s past challenges, the Police were long viewed as the “minister’s squad.” The high crime rate and the priority given to establishing the State Police after 2013 placed the Minister of Internal Affairs in a chief supervisory role over the police force.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the circumstances are now favorable for a major advancement, given that public order indicators have consolidated within acceptable standards, placing the country at least in the lower half of the EU countries’ classification rankings.
“Meanwhile, other internal matters demand greater focus, new capabilities, and a renewed approach, beginning right here in this building. Consequently, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be raised to a higher level, enabling it to have a comprehensive 360-degree perspective of the internal affairs domain and to steer its direction, as is the case in every EU member state,” Rama added.
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