During a conversation with journalists, Mazniku said that since the beginning of the third governing mandate, the Socialist Party put the new administrative-territorial reform high in its agenda.

According to him, the commission was established on the basis of two important principles: parity with the opposition and co-chairmanship, as an expression of good faith to build a long-term and comprehensive reform.

He said that the opposition did not contribute to the process, emphasizing that it did not participate in the commission’s work for four months, while the debate then focused on the work calendar. According to Mazniku, the commission’s term was determined since its creation and ended on July 19.

Mazniku argued that the reform is closely linked to the European integration process. He stated that Albania aims to close negotiations with the European Union by the end of 2027 and become a member state in 2029. In this context, according to him, municipalities must be stronger administratively and financially in order to benefit from the EU funds.

According to Mazniku, if the reform is not approved before the 2027 Albania’s local elections, the country will lose an important development opportunity.

If we miss this deadline, i.e. the 2027 deadline, we do not lose a month, but we lose eight years. It cannot start before 2031, because the mandates of those elected in 2027 local elections cannot be interrupted halfway. The adjustment period would be 2031-2035 and we would actually enter full functionality in 2035. Thus, we lose eight years,” he said.

Mazniku emphasized that the goal of the reform is not to change borders for political interests, but to create more functional municipalities, with more human, technical and financial capacities, capable of providing better quality services and promoting the economic development of the territories they administer.

Another pillar of the reform, according to him, is decentralization. Mazniku said that the transfer of functions from the central government to local government cannot be achieved only through legal changes, but requires municipalities with capable administrations, specialists, means and financial resources. /m.q/r.e/p.s./

During a television interview, Mazniku said that the map is intended to be approved by October of the current year.

According to him, “The work on the new territorial reform is continuing on the basis of a detailed economic, financial, demographic and social analysis”.

“Today, we are continuing work on this draft. We heard from experts on Thursday, who presented a detailed report, which is now public. That report carries a lot of important economic, financial data and on the way municipalities function”, said Mazniku.

According to Mazniku, about 40% of municipalities in the country do not provide even half of the services they should offer to citizens.

“Since the elections are in 2027, while in November the President should announce the date. This means that in October is the deadline to approve this reform in the Parliament, so there is time for the President to announce the elections with the new map”, he emphasized.

Speaking about Tirana, he stated that the capital needs special treatment due to its weight in the population and economy.

“Tirana has 25% of the population of Albania and over 50% of the turnover generated by the Albanian economy. The map is not Tirana’s problem. Tirana needs either a special law on how it functions, or a special chapter in the law on local government”, declared Mazniku.

Finally, he accused the opposition of having delayed the reform process by not participating in the Commission’s work for four months, but added that the proposals of its experts will be reviewed. /m.m/a.f/p.s./

Co-Chair Arbjan Mazniku told local stakeholders that this is the ideal time to assess past results, improve local governance, and deliver better services to citizens.

Because some municipalities fail to fully exercise their legal responsibilities, significant regional development disparities exist. According to Mazniku, strengthening local governance is urgently required to prepare municipalities for the European integration process and the structural opportunities that EU accession will provide.

Mazniku emphasized that the 2027–2030 period must prepare municipalities to absorb EU funding, as the ongoing reform will drive the country’s long-term development. The Special Commission for Administrative-Territorial Reform will present its final package to the Assembly by the July 15 deadline. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

According to him, the debate should focus on solving concrete problems of communities and increasing efficiency in the provision of public services.

Mazniku emphasized that municipalities need more professional capacities and resources to exercise the powers assigned to them.

Mazniku assured that the special commission for this reform will take into account the sensitivities, traditions and peculiarities of each area during the reform process, with the aim of building a model that guarantees both better services and respect for local identity. /k.s/a.f/r.e/p.s./

During a television interview, Mazniku emphasized that this is related to small municipalities that have a disproportionate staff structure in relation to the number of residents, thus increasing the costs of functioning.

“There are the large municipalities that offer the entire range of services and infrastructure, including cleaning and social services and there are the small municipalities that are unable to provide citizens with the necessary services,” he emphasized.

On the other hand, Mazniku emphasized that the small municipalities have a disproportionate amount of staff per 1,000 residents.

Therefore, according to him, it is necessary to think about solving this issue.

He suggested that another option is adopting a two-level local government model with distinct municipal and regional authorities, as implemented in Italy and recently in Greece and Croatia.

“So, in addition to the municipality, let’s have the regions which can perform some functions that the municipality cannot perform”, said Mazniku, while emphasizing that today the citizens get most of the services online. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Ambassador Gonzato stressed the importance of an inclusive and fully transparent reform process, built on accurate data and broad consensus.

He said the speed of reforms should not come at the expense of quality, and that gains in efficiency must not undermine local democracy.

“It is also essential that new functions be matched with adequate funding to ensure local authorities have genuine decision-making autonomy, supported by the necessary administrative capacities,” Gonzato said.

The reform must ultimately deliver better services for citizens and align with European standards, he added.

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During the meeting of the commission today, Mazniku warned that if the reform does not advance at a good pace, it will be postponed until 2031.

“The ruling majority has systematically expressed its will to seize the opportunity of 2027. This requires us to complete the reform one year before the next elections. This means that July is a deadline dictated by the dates that are in force,” he added.

He mentioned the work on the ground, the discussion with experts and with all the people.

Mazniku emphasized that the commission’s work agenda has been built starting from the last week of July 2026.

“This is in accordance with the suggestions of the Venice Commission that the administrative reform should be implemented 1 year before the elections,” he added.

Mazniku also agreed with the co-chair of the commission, the Democratic Party MP Luciano Boçi to create a special reform portal, as a subpage of the Parliament’s website, where all parties can address the progress of the work on the reform, questions, requests, but also other elements related to the work of the special commission on territorial reform.

Finally, the work timeline should be approved with the request of the opposition and with a note, emphasizing that it is changeable at the request of the parties. After discussions, the timeline was approved with the votes of both the ruling majority and the opposition. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

Minister of State for Local Government Arbjan Mazniku shared today a view from the start of the construction of this road, emphasizing that it is another promise kept for all the local residents of the areas along which it passes.

Mazniku emphasized that the construction of this road improves the lives of the local residents, the activity of farmers, traders, but also visitors and passers-by.

“The kick-off of the construction works on the new Fushë-Buall – Elbasan road is another promise kept for all residents of the areas along which it passes, improving their lives, the activity of farmers, traders but also visitors and passers-by as a strategic investment to unleash the tourist potential of this wonderful area where Via Egnatia once lay,” Mazniku wrote in a post in social media. /gj.m//a.f/p.s./

Attending the event was Minister of State for Local Government Arbjan Mazniku, Mayor of Chambery in France and former Minister for Europe Thierry Repentin.

Minister Mazniku emphasized that one of the key points of the European integration process is implementation of legislation at the local level.

According to him, the building of local capacities through establishment of integration offices in municipalities, training of staff and the involvement of local businesses, is proving essential to ensure that European integration directly impacts the lives of citizens.

“70% of EU legislation is implemented at the local level, so strengthening their capacities is our priority. With integration offices in municipalities, staff training and the involvement of local businesses, we are laying the foundations for the European integration process to first impact the citizen, their daily well-being and communities”, said Mazniku.

The panel, organized within the framework of cooperation between Albania and France, served as a platform to exchange experiences and deepen the dialogue on regional development and social cohesion policies in context of the European Union enlargement. /j.p/p.s./

Minister of State for Local Government Arbjan Mazniku emphasized the economic value that tourism brings to municipalities.

“Most of the income from tourism last year went to bars and restaurants where many people are employed; another part in hotels, in agri-food products and a part in transport”, said Mazniku.

According to him, the opening of the tourist season is one of the most important elements where there is required the cooperation between institutions to provide the best services to citizens and this goal assumes another dimension of significance at this moment.

“A large number of people, in some cases 10 times greater than the number of residents that municipalities have, are expecting services. Therefore, this also implies another stage of commitment from the Municipalities because it ultimately affects the country’s image”.

He said that the contribution of tourism generates development in the entire economic chain, employment, trade, increased income for businesses, families and development as a whole.

“Last year, tourists spent 5.5 billion euros in Albania. 30% of this money went to services, bars, restaurants…, so an element that is related to municipalities, since it is the responsibility of local government to monitor these services. 30% of this money was spent on bars and restaurants, where waiters, chefs, maintenance workers… etc. worked. 30% was spent on hotels, also this sector related to the function of municipalities. A little less than 30% was spent on agri-food products, also these related to the citizens of each of the municipalities. 10% for transport, which is again related to the municipalities”, said Mazniku.

He said that the impact of tourism on the country’s economy and on the economy of citizens is indisputable.

“The impact of tourism has changed the country’s economy. If we have a 10% increase this year from tourism, that means half a billion euros more income from the tourism industry and it is money that goes to citizens, business, transport, that function in cities”, emphasized the minister.

“Cleaning remains the biggest challenge of this issue and in inter-municipal spaces”, said Mazniku. /a.f/p.s./