The ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, held a meeting under the Partnership Platform for European Integration to present and discuss the new legal framework on eco-design.

The initiative is part of Albania’s commitments under EU accession Chapter 15, covering energy, and aims to bring national legislation closer to EU rules while encouraging more sustainable products and more efficient use of resources and energy, the ministry said.

The government plans to continue inter-institutional dialogue and cooperation to advance the EU integration process and support the development of a greener, more innovative and sustainable economy.

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The draft, now open for public consultation, would establish a system for measuring, reporting and verifying emissions from ships, with standardized requirements for maritime transport companies.

The system would cover carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, while operators would be required to document fuel consumption and other data related to voyages and ship operations.

The data would be independently verified by accredited bodies rather than relying solely on companies’ own declarations, the draft says.

The rules would mainly apply to commercial cargo and passenger ships operating to, from or between Albanian ports, with some requirements also extending to smaller vessels depending on their category.

Operators would have to submit annual emissions reports by March 31 for the previous year, following verification.

The monitoring system would also collect data on distance travelled, time at sea, cargo carried and ships’ energy efficiency.

The General Maritime Directorate would oversee implementation and approval of monitoring plans, while the National Environment Agency would monitor compliance with environmental requirements. Verifiers would be accredited by the General Directorate of Accreditation.

The explanatory report said the measures were not expected to create additional costs for the state budget, with private operators bearing the main implementation costs, including technical expertise and data verification.

The initiative is also intended to establish a reliable statistical basis for assessing shipping’s impact on the climate and developing policies to reduce emissions, while bringing Albania’s maritime sector closer to EU environmental standards.

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One of the key changes requires employers to register paid job vacancies with the relevant employment and skills institution and publicly disclose the salary range for each available position.

Under the proposed legislation, until Albania’s accession to the European Union, employers will be required to hire at least one person from designated vulnerable groups for every 125 employees. For each additional 125 employees, another person from these categories must be hired.

Employers failing to meet the required quotas would be required to contribute to the Social Employment Fund an amount equal to 50% of the national minimum wage per month for each position that should have been filled under the law.

The measures are part of a broader labour market reform package designed to increase employment opportunities for vulnerable groups, strengthen active employment policies and bring Albania’s regulatory framework closer to EU standards.

The draft law also introduces the creation of a Digital Employment and Skills Passport, an electronic record containing an individual’s professional history, including employment periods, occupation, qualifications and work experience. The system would be managed through a platform integrated with state databases.

Another proposed measure is the establishment of a Labour Market and Skills Information Observatory, which would require institutions holding labour market data to share information electronically through an integrated database.

The legislation also provides the legal framework for Albania’s gradual integration into EURES, the European network of employment services that connects jobseekers and employers across European markets.

The national employment and skills authority would serve as Albania’s EURES Coordination Office, responsible for transmitting job vacancies and, with applicants’ consent, sharing candidate profiles and applications.

The creation of the national structure could begin once the law enters into force, while full participation and data exchange with the European network would take place following Albania’s EU membership or earlier if the country receives authorisation to join EURES.

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Salla made the remarks during an inspection visit to Tona ALB in southeastern Albanian city of Korçë, as part of efforts to align the sector with European Union legislation and improve compliance with food safety requirements.

During the visit, the minister reviewed the company’s implementation of safety standards and investments in modern production processes, praising its efforts to meet the requirements of the European market.

Salla said the classification process is designed to help businesses identify the improvements and investments needed to achieve EU food safety standards, from production and processing to packaging, storage and transport.

“Facility classification is a guarantee for consumers, an incentive for new investment and a concrete step towards increasing the competitiveness of the agro-food sector, creating greater opportunities for Made in Albania products to enter European Union markets,” Salla said.

He noted that many companies have already made significant investments in technology, but further improvements are needed in production procedures and operational standards to ensure full compliance with European requirements.

Established in 1992 as a family business, Tona ALB has grown into one of Albania’s leading meat-processing companies through continued investment in modern technology, traceability systems and food safety standards.

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Speaking at a joint news conference following the ninth Albania-European Union Intergovernmental Conference, Rama said he wanted to avoid any misunderstanding regarding the two legislative processes.

“We need to repeal the Strategic Investments Law, as we have agreed, because it has fulfilled its purpose. We are also working closely with the European Commission on drafting a new law,” Rama said.

Rama clarified that the term “repeal” refers to the complete abolition of a law and applies only to the strategic investments law.

“‘Repeal’ means abolishing the law, and the strategic investments law will be repealed. Meanwhile, the protected areas law, which is one of the best laws we have, will be adjusted until it fully complies with European standards. These are two different matters,” he said.

According to Rama, the planned changes are intended to fully harmonise Albanian legislation with the European Union’s acquis as part of the country’s EU accession negotiations.

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In his weekly briefing on Sunday, Rama also reflected on his visit to Bochum, Germany, where he attended the “Ruhr Summit” technology forum, highlighting Albania’s digital transformation and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in public administration.

He also met with the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, focusing on EU integration and the expansion of bilateral economic cooperation.

Addressing the ongoing debate over investments in Zvërnec and Sazan, Rama dismissed claims of public land privatization as false.

He reiterated that Zvërnec is privately owned, while Sazan remains state property and is still in the negotiation phase, stressing that the state will remain a partner in any development project.

Rama underlined that all projects will be subject to environmental impact assessments and continuous monitoring by EU institutions, ensuring full alignment with European standards and regulations.

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Speaking at the Energy Community Ministerial Council in Pristina, Karakaçi said the reform places Albania among the most advanced countries in the region in aligning its energy legislation with EU standards.

“With the adoption of the new electricity law, Albania has completed its obligations under Chapter 15 of the EU acquis on energy,” Karakaçi said, adding that Albania and Montenegro are now among the few regional countries to have met all legal requirements in the sector.

The minister said solar power now accounts for more than 10% of Albania’s electricity generation, noting that during some summer days the country’s main hydropower cascade on the Drin River was not required to operate due to strong solar output.

Albania has already installed around 650 megawatts of solar capacity and is evaluating additional solar and wind energy projects, he added.

Karakaçi also called on the European Union to accelerate financing mechanisms for the Western Balkans, saying faster investment in energy interconnections is needed to support the integration of renewable energy sources and strengthen regional energy security.

He stressed that closer regional cooperation remains essential in light of recent energy market challenges, reaffirming Albania’s commitment to working with neighboring countries and European partners to enhance energy security across Southeast Europe.

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In a statement, the institution said its representatives, together with the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, had completed a specialised training programme on combating racism and discrimination.

The Ombudsman’s office said it is also further integrating principles of equality into its day-to-day work with citizens.

It added that the initiative responds to findings from the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), which has highlighted the need to reinforce institutional capacities in Albania. The programme was supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe.

“As part of this commitment, no citizen facing discrimination can be left alone by the institutions,” the Ombudsman said in the statement.

The institution said it remains committed to ensuring that all citizens who experience discrimination have access to an authority that listens and acts.

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The EU4FoodSafety project, unveiled in Tirana on World Food Safety Dayon Monday, will be implemented in cooperation with German development agency GIZ and Albanian institutions responsible for food safety oversight.

Speaking at the launch, Agriculture Minister Andi Salla said the initiative would support reforms aimed at modernising Albania’s food safety system and bringing it closer to EU standards.

“Food safety is a fundamental pillar of public health, consumer protection and the sustainable development of the agri-food sector,” Salla said.

He said Albania was working to strengthen institutional capacities, improve inspection and control systems, raise standards for food business operators and align legislation with the EU acquis as part of its accession process.

EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato said the project, financed with 12.5 million euros from the European Union and an additional 1 million euros from the German government, would help upgrade food safety controls across the supply chain.

“Food safety is not simply a technical procedure; it is a fundamental public right,” Gonzato said.

The programme will support the development of laboratories, inspection services and veterinary capacities, with the aim of introducing EU standards throughout the food chain, from production to consumption, he added.

Officials said the project is expected to improve consumer protection while helping Albanian agri-food businesses enhance product quality and competitiveness in European markets.

Albania is seeking to advance EU accession negotiations, with reforms in food safety and veterinary standards forming part of the requirements under several negotiating chapters.

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Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Karakaçi said the proposed law would replace the current framework adopted in 2015, which helped transform Albania’s energy sector but no longer reflected the industry’s evolving needs.

The new legislation introduces provisions covering energy storage, aggregation services and self-consumption schemes, while updating market rules to reflect the growing role of renewable energy sources, he said.

Karakaçi noted that solar power now accounts for more than 10% of Albania’s domestic electricity generation, highlighting the rapid expansion of renewable energy projects through both government auctions and private investment.

He said the draft law had undergone consultations with industry stakeholders and incorporated feedback from multiple rounds of discussions.

The Minister added that the legislation is also an important component of Albania’s EU accession process and forms part of commitments under the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

Once adopted by parliament, the law is expected to support Albania’s integration into the EU energy market framework and unlock related EU financial assistance, Karakaçi said.

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