The government head attended the reopening of the Archaeological Museum in Durres following its restoration under the programme, which has so far supported the rehabilitation of 23 cultural heritage sites.

He said the recovery effort was made possible through close cooperation with the EU and the “EU4Culture” initiative, which provided financial and technical support.

“We did everything on our part, with the right projects and will, to move this programme forward. Several sites are still under restoration, but this is a transformative effort that speaks for itself,” Rama said.

He compared the process to post-earthquake reconstruction of housing, saying both cases created an opportunity to rebuild “better and more beautifully”.

Rama said investment in culture is particularly important for Albania, not only because of its tourism potential, but also because of the country’s path toward European Union membership and the opportunity to better showcase its history.

He thanked all those involved in the project, calling it a “won challenge.”

1 of 14

/m.m/a.f/u.sh/

Addressing a campaign rally in Kuçova on Wednesday, PM Rama highlighted the EU support for Albania during three consecutive terms in office of his Socialist government.

According to him, around 90% of the EU assistance has been provided as soft loans, while the country will receive over one billion euros annually once it becomes a full-fledged EU member state.

PM Rama underlined that agricultural sector alone will benefit around 300 million euros in direct support once Albania joins the EU.

The government head noted that he revealed the figures for everyone to understand that as an EU member, Albania will have an extra budget in addition to the national revenue due to be generated due to the country’s economic growth.

/r.e/a.f/u.sh/

The farm has set an example of a humble family business that grew to a milk production and processing industry through the assistance from the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency.

One of the farm owners said that the number of their animals has increased to over 1700 from only 1050 animals four years ago and they expect the number to grow to over 2000 in the next two years.

“We produce 19 tons of milk daily and we supply four main milk processing plants in Albania. We have invested in waste water treatment through the IPARD and Albanian government support four years ago,” he said.

On his part, Prime Minister Rama underlined that Albania agriculture sector is entitled to benefit more than 300 million euros in EU funds once the country joins the European family.

He also highlighted a new funding line of 250 million euros for small and medium-sized enterprises in agriculture, backed by the Bank of Albania and second-tier banks.

/u.sh/

Taking the floor at parliament’s plenary session, Ibrahimaj noted that the Albanian economy is constantly expanding with higher revenue, stronger exports and lower public debt.

She underlined that Albania’s gross domestic production (GDP) grew to a total value of over 25 billion euros in 2024.

“Income per capita has tripled to 10 334 euros from 3 324 euros previously, whereas Albania’s GDP grew 3.4%, pursuing a positive trend. Labor market has seen significant improvement in terms of unemployment decline. Wages have increased, positively influencing the economy, with the minimum wage surging to 400 euros from 157 euros. Public debt has fallen to 44.7% from 70.4%, saving around 300 million euros annually. Albania’s exports have tripled to 9 billion euros in 2024, while public investments range from 5.1 to 7.8% of GDP. The total of bank deposits is estimated at 1.36 trillion lek,” Ibrahimaj said.

The State Minister underlined that creating the Albanian Development Bank will help the country in absorbing and channeling the European Union funds into strategic projects with long-term growth prospect.

Ibrahimaj stated that absorbing EU funds is crucial as the country advances on the path towards integration into the bloc.

She also noted that the bank will support the country’s economic development by easing and streamlining access to access for underfinanced sectors, infrastructure, exports and strategic projects.

/a.f/u.sh/

The government head underlined that Albania is no longer subject to monitoring from the Council of Europe, but it now stands on the footing with other countries aspiring to join the European Union.

“This year – and this is a very significant fact – Albania was lifted from the list of countries subject to complete monitoring from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. We are no longer under such supervision, but we are on par with all other countries wishing and which will join the European Union within this decade,” PM Rama said.

The Premier underlined that Albania has been promoter of regional cooperation and has been engaged in an unprecedented dialogue between the European Commission, the member states and the candidate countries, from which the new growth plan as the EU in support of the Western Balkan countries has emerged.

The government head voiced confidence that the country will absorb around one billion euros from EU funds until 2027.

“I can proudly say that it has been a tough process, which has demanded relentless perseverance and continued document exchange with the European Commission President’s office to include a new element in the traditional European integration process, and this element has now been introduced in the accession negotiations terms as gradual membership. A financial tool has been made available under the new  growth plan for Albania and other countries in the region. We will absorb around one billion euros in projects until 2027,” he said.

/j.p/u.sh/

Addressing the plenary session of Parliament, the opposition lawmaker claimed that the government has altered the EU funds management structure.

She said that the coordinator for the IPA funds had been replaced four times in the past eight years and therefore the country had failed to absorb EU funds.

“I would like dwell upon the body that the government has set up to coordinate the EU funds. I have voiced concern over the fact that the government has changed the structures tasked with the management of the EU funds four times in the last eight years and this has caused serious issues in terms of absorbing the EU funds under the IPA programme. The government is incapable of proposing and implementing projects under the EU funds,” DP lawmaker said.

Tabaku underlined that in the context of the economic crisis the government cannot afford turning down the EU funds.

/r.e/u.sh/