The initiative is part of Albania’s industrial property reform and its commitments under the European Union integration process. The draft law was reviewed and approved by the relevant parliamentary committees in July and is expected to proceed to parliament.

The framework would establish rules for registering, challenging, amending and cancelling geographical indications, while defining producers’ rights and obligations, quality-control mechanisms and safeguards against unauthorised use of protected names.

It would also strengthen the role of producer groups, allowing them to jointly define a product’s characteristics, production methods and links to a specific territory. This could enable a protected name to represent not just an individual producer but a shared asset of the local community.

For Albanian producers, particularly small businesses and artisans, geographical indications could help differentiate products, strengthen their reputation and increase their added value, while limiting imitation or misuse of names by producers that do not meet the required territorial or production criteria.

The framework is aligned with EU Regulation 2023/2411, which established an EU-wide protection system for geographical indications covering craft and industrial products. For Albania, closer alignment with the EU framework would provide a clearer basis for protecting domestic products and preparing them for European markets.

Geographical indications could also support local economic development by linking products with regional traditions and promoting domestic production, cultural tourism and local economies.

However, registration alone does not guarantee commercial success. Economic benefits will also depend on compliance with production specifications, quality control, promotion, market standards and producers’ ability to turn a product’s reputation into a competitive advantage.

The new framework aims to give geographic origin a greater role in protecting industrial property, creating added value and strengthening the competitiveness of Albanian products at home and in European markets.

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In her commentary column “Weekend Corner,” Tabaku traced the law’s timeline—from its initial passage through multiple extensions—to the ongoing discussions surrounding its potential repeal.

Originally pitched as a temporary way to draw foreign investment and build key industries, a decade later the law has instead enabled the unfair distribution of public property, said Tabaku.

DP MP tied this issue to changes in the tourist ports law, arguing that the updates let strategic investors bypass standard competitive bidding. She pointed to the Durrës Yacht & Marina project as a prime example of public land handed over without a fair, open contest.

Tabaku dismissed Rama’s ‘Besa’ initiative, arguing that a government cannot demand public trust for reforms under the exact system it created and maintained.

According to the Democratic MP, the repeal of the law on strategic investments would be an important step in changing the model of favors and restoring competition in the economy./ /gj.m/ a.jor./p.s./

Speaking during a plenary session, Zhupa referred to recent protests against a planned tourism development in Zvërnec and said demonstrators were demanding stronger protection of Albania’s natural and cultural heritage.

“The protesters are calling for the protection of protected areas, as well as the country’s natural and cultural heritage,” Zhupa said.

She said a draft law submitted on May 14 to repeal the protected areas legislation had yet to be scheduled for parliamentary review.

“The European Parliament called for the repeal of the protected areas law. The relevant draft law is the only item on the legislative calendar that still has no date for consideration,” Zhupa said, urging lawmakers to address what she described as pressing public concerns.

Zhupa also called on the ruling majority to respond to citizens’ demands, warning that public opposition to the project was growing.

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During a conversation with citizens, referring to the protests over Zvërnec, Berisha expressed the opposition’s support for the cause raised by activists and civil society.

“Democratic Party voted against and took the law on protected areas to the Constitutional Court”, said Berisha.

According to Berisha, the demands presented by the protesters are fair and consistent with the stance that the opposition has held in the Parliament and in legal institutions.

“All the issues raised by civil society and citizens are fair and have been openly opposed in the Parliament, in court and we are ready to vote on them,” Berisha said.

According to him, “The cause of these citizens is to save Albania from a regime that is destroying it.” /m.q/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Speaking at a joint news conference with Reida Kashta (Shahollari), Albania’s negotiator for Chapter 5 on Public Procurement and head of the Public Procurement Agency, the government head said the current law had been extended temporarily to avoid a legal vacuum before the new framework is adopted.

“We are working in consultation with the European Union on a new law on strategic investors,” Rama said.

He described the existing legislation as a product of a specific period rather than an initiative unique to Albania.

“The law on strategic investors was imposed by the circumstances of a certain time and was not our invention,” Rama said. “Thanks to that law, we have achieved many things that other countries had done before us.”

Rama said the government intends to repeal the current law and replace it with new legislation, which he said was in the final stages of consultation.

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A public opinion poll at the time revealed that 90% of Albanians supported the vetting of judges and prosecutors.

The World Law Congress is organized by the World Association of Jurists, in collaboration with the Albanian Ministry of Justice and has brought together international judges, experts and legal academics from around the world.

Rama appreciated that this prestigious event marks a defining moment for Albania, highlighting our role as a key contributor to global justice.

“For over six decades, the World Jurist Association has championing a fundamental principle: ‘A world governed by law, not by force.’ Amidst the tensions of 1963, this platform was created to build trust in legal systems. Today, that legacy lives on through the World Law Congress—under the auspices of H.M. King Felipe VI—tirelessly promoting the message that our world must be governed by the rule of law, never by force”, said Rama.

According to the head of government, Tirana’s selection as host by this prestigious body highlights not merely geographical or cultural attributes, but a high-level recognition of Albania’s historic strides over the last decade. It marks a shift towards strengthening democratic institutions, replacing the arbitrary rule of force with a firm commitment to the rule of law. /e.i/j.p/p.s./

Together with representatives of environmental and hunter associations and experts from the Ministry of Environment, Jaupaj discussed the drafting of by-laws, the National Hunting Development Program, the management of hunting areas, as well as the definition of a transparent and fair fee system.

The minister emphasized that, “Municipalities and hunter federations will have an important role as key actors in the sustainable management of wild fauna, in cooperation with scientific expertise in preparing the list of species subject to hunting”.

After more than a decade, the moratorium on hunting has been lifted, allowing this activity in certain areas, according to the rules provided for in the new law “On Hunting”.

The law now protects the rights of hunters and encourages cooperation between them and the area manager, as well as between the structures provided for in this law for the conservation and management of wild fauna and its habitat.

According to recent regulatory proposals in Albania [2024-2025], allowed hunting areas must be at least 500 hectares in plains and 1000 hectares in mountainous zones. Private individuals can rent these areas through competitive procedures, and wild fauna breeding reserves must be at least 50 hectares, managed by assigned units.

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Discussions focused on the new accessibility law and 2026–2030 action plan, showcasing EU-aligned, inter-sectoral strategies to enhance quality of life and secure rights for this group

During her speech, Minister Sala emphasized that the government is committed to the issue based on the conviction that equality and human dignity are the cornerstone of a democratic and inclusive society.

Minister Sala praised the role of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities, appreciating it as an important dialogue mechanism to ensure that policies in this area are fair, inclusive and applicable in practice – with the clear principle: no one should be left behind.

Sala emphasized that the new law is not simply a normative act, but a political commitment to real equality in access to services, infrastructure, technology and public life. According to her, the accessibility law establishes clear standards, responsibilities and monitoring mechanisms.

The minister noted that the success of the law requires the cooperation of local government, central institutions, business and civil society.

Regarding the National Action Plan 2026–2030, Minister Sala emphasized that this plan marks an important step towards moving from the formal guarantee of rights to their real exercise in everyday life, focusing on independent living, inclusion in education, employment, justice and political decision-making. /e.i/j.p/p.s./

Responding to Rama’s statement that “the ruling majority did what any democratic parliament in Europe would do,” Bardhi stressed that in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and across Europe, there is an undisputed principle applying equally to all citizens, including chancellors and prime ministers.

“The law is equal for everyone. The same rule applies in United Kingdom,” Bardhi said. “Only for Edi Rama is it different: the law is declared guilty, corruption is protected by a vote, and EU member states are portrayed as spokespeople for the Democratic Party. Rama presents the fight against corruption as more dangerous than corruption itself.”

Bardhi added that “today, Edi Rama is the gravest threat to justice and to Albania’s EU integration process.”

He criticized Rama’s political strategy, saying: “The problem with Edi Rama is not that he has a plan A, B, or C. The problem is that none of these plans are for Albania or for the good of the Albanian people.”

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Speaking to reporters outside Parliament urged a “peaceful uprising” against amendments to the law on the suspension of ministers, arguing the changes would protect PM Rama and his political structure from accountability.

“The law submitted to parliament is in the most flagrant contradiction with the Constitution,” Berisha said, accusing the ruling majority of acting “like occupiers” toward citizens. He alleged the draft would serve as “a shield” for Rama and his family.

Berisha warned the law would have “extraordinary consequences” for the country’s economy and daily life, claiming it would enable corruption while placing officials above the law.

He called on supporters to gather at 6 p.m. on Friday in the streets and squares of Tirana, describing participation as an act of courage to defend citizens and their future.

Berisha also accused the Constitutional Court of violating the country’s Constitution, saying it was at “its darkest day.” He criticised the court’s chief justice, Fiona Papajorgji, and other judges over what he described as a failure to uphold the authority of the special anti-corruption prosecution office, known as SPAK, to suspend ministers under investigation.

Asked about the risk of violence at the protest, Berisha said the official call was for a peaceful and organised demonstration, while acknowledging that isolated acts by “desperate individuals” could not be ruled out.

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