The Agency for Media and Information (MIA), citing information published by WEBALKANS.eu, said Albania has demonstrated “strong and steady progress,” enabling it to access additional funding and opportunities aimed at accelerating economic development, boosting investment and aligning more closely with EU standards.

According to MIA, Albania has so far received 23% of the funds allocated to it under the Growth Plan mechanism, reflecting progress in implementing reform commitments agreed with the European Union.

The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is designed to accelerate economic convergence between the region and the EU by supporting reforms, increasing investment and facilitating gradual integration into the bloc’s single market.

Through the initiative, Albania is expected to benefit from funding and technical assistance to strengthen economic competitiveness, improve infrastructure and regional connectivity, support businesses and entrepreneurship, and advance reforms required for EU membership.

The Growth Plan is a key EU strategy for promoting economic growth, job creation and closer alignment of Western Balkan countries with European policies and standards through a combination of reform measures and investment support.

Albanian institutions say successful implementation of the programme is expected to enhance the country’s economic potential, improve the business environment and support its broader EU integration ambitions.

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Koçiu took part in a meeting of the Growth and Reform Facility (RGF) Monitoring Committee held at the Bank of Albania, attended by international partners and relevant institutions, where progress and next steps in Albania’s EU accession process were discussed.

In a social media post, she said Albania had completed 33 reform measures across five policy pillars and secured more than 212 million euros in budget support and strategic investments.

“Albania is moving at a fast pace towards Brussels,” Koçiu said, adding that the country is leading the Western Balkans in reform implementation.

She said the government remained fully committed to advancing reforms with concrete results, describing EU integration as an “irreversible objective”.

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Speaking during a parliamentary interpellation focused on the implementation of the reform agenda and Albania’s benefits from the EU Growth Plan, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said Albania had achieved the strongest results in the Western Balkans.

According to Hoxha, the European Commission ranks Albania first in the region for the quality and coherence of its National Reform Agenda, the share of reform measures implemented, and the amount of funding disbursed under the programme.

“The results achieved by Albania are the best in the region. This is not our assessment; it is the assessment of the European Commission,” Hoxha told lawmakers.

He said Albania’s performance reflected both institutional commitment and the ability of the country’s public administration to manage complex European financial instruments.

Hoxha noted that on May 20, 2026, the European Commission approved a third payment of 49 million euros to Albania, citing progress in reforms aimed at improving business competitiveness and innovation.

“In total, Albania has completed 33 reform steps so far, compared with 32 in Montenegro and 22 in North Macedonia,” he said.

Following the latest disbursement, Albania has received a total of 212.8 million euros under the instrument, compared with 89.3 million euros for Montenegro and 142.1 million euros for North Macedonia, Hoxha added.

Albania is allocated a total of 922 million euros under the EU Growth Plan for the 2024–2027 period.

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The meeting will focus on the Growth Plan, economic integration, and bringing the region closer to the European Union Single Market.

During the summit, discussions will center on how Western Balkan countries can benefit from new EU initiatives, increase economic alignment, and advance reforms that accelerate the EU accession process.

As per the agenda, the summit will kick off at 09:30 with a welcome session and press statements.

The official proceedings will then commence at 10:00, with opening remarks from Prime Minister Edi Rama and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

A group photo of the attending leaders is scheduled for 11:30, immediately followed at 11:35 by a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

The summit is expected to send out important messages on advancing the Growth Plan and on coordinated efforts by regional countries to accelerate integration into the European Union’s market and institutional frameworks.
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“Young people empowered means more creativity, more entrepreneurship, and a region that collaborates better and tackles challenges more effectively” – this was the motto of the meeting.
At the regional “Fireside Talk” in Tirana, young people discussed with representatives of the European Union and other partners how the Growth Plan and the Regional Common Market can be transformed into concrete jobs, more opportunities, and reasons to build their future here.

With the support of the European Union, these discussions are being translated into concrete measures: enhanced skills, increased mobility, and a labour market in which the voice of young people is heared.

“EU support places individuals, particularly young people, at the centre. Through the Growth Plan and other EU initiatives, such as the Youth Guarantee, we are opening doors to new opportunities. We are strengthening education, equipping young people with skills that are in demand in today’s labour market, creating employment, and ensuring that young people have a genuine voice,” stated Ritva Heikkinen, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation in Albania.

The RCC is dedicated to fostering and strengthening regional cooperation in Southeast Europe (SEE), with the objective of advancing the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of aspiring countries. It also provides operational capabilities and operates under the political guidance of the SEECP.
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The summit will take place at the Palace of Brigades in Tirana, starting at 09:30 a.m. and concluding around 12:00.

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Commissioner Kos will deliver opening remarks, followed by a joint press conference around 11:35 a.m.

The summit aims to strengthen economic and political cooperation between the Western Balkans and the European Union, paving the way for the region’s further integration.

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Speaking at the Brdo-Brijuni Process summit in coastal town of Golem, Durres, Begaj said Albania supports “regional dialogue and good-neighbourly relations as essential elements for peace, economic growth and integration.”

He noted that the region had made “significant progress” in security and economic ties but still faces challenges requiring “stronger coordination and cooperation.”

Begaj added that the EU Growth Plan offers access to EU financial instruments, trade facilities and joint development programs.

He underlined that Albania aims to complete its EU accession talks by 2027 and become a full member by 2030.

The summit gathered leaders from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, co-hosted by Slovenia and Croatia.

Meetings of the Brdo-Brijuni Process have been held for years at the initiative of Croatia and Slovenia as members of the European Union, with the aim of improving mutual cooperation between countries in South-East Europe and accelerating the process of European integration.

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Speaking at the “Albania, A New Frontier” conference in Vienna, attended by businesses from over 25 countries, Rama pointed to the disparity in funding between EU member states and candidate countries.

Rama noted that although Albania has doubled its GDP in recent years, the country still lags significantly behind EU member states in terms of per capita EU support.

“Countries like Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania receive over EUR 4,000 per capita in EU funds. Meanwhile, Albania has received just EUR 132 per capita. That gap illustrates the disparity,” he said.

However, he expressed optimism that this is beginning to change.

“Thanks to the new Growth Plan, we’re seeing gradual integration into EU support mechanisms. We’ve told Brussels that it can’t be ‘all or nothing’ – we need meaningful support even before formal accession,” Rama added.

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The first project is “Digitalization of the electricity transmission system,” which covers 40 high-voltage substations across the country, thereby increasing the network’s capacity and reducing losses. The project is valued at €95.3 million, with the EU contributing €10.5 million. The completion deadline is set for 2030.

The second project is the reconstruction of the Fierza Hydropower Plant. The investment aims to extend the plant’s lifespan by another 30 years, increasing efficiency by 4% and production by 10%. The second phase of the project is supported by Growth Plan funds with €13.6 million, within a total investment of €64.2 million. The completion deadline for this project is also set for 2030.

The third project includes the construction of the new Rrashbull–Tirana line and the Tirana Ring. This 400/220 kV transmission line is designed to expand the grid’s capacity to meet the capital’s growing energy demand. The project represents an investment of €61.1 million, of which the EU is contributing €8 million, and it is expected to be finalized within this year.

The European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is launching its first projects in the field of clean energy across nearly all countries in the region, with Albania standing out as one of the main beneficiaries.

In this phase, Albania has three major projects with a total value exceeding €220 million, of which the EU is contributing €33 million.

In Montenegro, the value of the projects under the first phase of the Growth Plan is around €54 million, with the EU contributing less than €10 million.

Serbia is the country with the most energy diversification–oriented projects (hydro and solar). The two projects are valued at €186 million, with the EU contributing around €41 million.

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On November 8, 2023, European Commission introduced a transformative Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, an initiative designed to drive economic growth and reduce developmental disparities compared to EU member states.

The plan is structured around four strategic pillars: fostering deeper economic integration with the EU Single Market, strengthening the Regional Common Market, accelerating crucial reforms, and launching a financial instrument to support reform and growth.

The transformative Growth Plan for the Western Balkans represents a significant step towards a better future and a promising opportunity for Albania and the entire region.

The Plan aims to support economic growth, investments, create new jobs and improve living standards.

The “Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans” supports the plan’s focus on reform and economic growth. Projections indicate significant economic impacts for Albania, with anticipated contributions of around 76.7 million euros in 2024, rising sharply to 279 million euros in 2025 as reform implementation accelerates.

With a budget of up to 6 billion euros allocated for 2024-2027, the Growth Plan will deliver vital financial support to all six countries in the Western Balkans.

This investment is particularly timely, addressing the socio-economic challenges heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the global energy crisis stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.

Aligning with this initiative, the National Reform Agenda 2024-2027 (NRA) outlines essential reforms to further integrate Albania into the EU Single Market. Key priorities include improving the business climate, enhancing human capital, promoting green energy transitions, advancing digital initiatives, and reinforcing the rule of law.

Government officials express optimism that these reforms will not only create jobs and foster investments but also improve living standards across the country. The EU’s commitment to supporting Albania’s economic transformation marks a significant step toward a more prosperous future for the nation.

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