In her remarks, Pirdeni stated: “This reporting comes at a particularly significant moment for Albania, only two weeks after the approval of the report on the assessment of Albania’s interim benchmarks by the 27 European Union member states, with a very positive evaluation of Albania’s progress in the negotiation process and, in particular, of public administration reform.”

Pirdeni stressed: “This report affirms the satisfactory fulfilment of the interim benchmarks for the first cluster. Particular importance is attached to the horizontal criterion, namely the comprehensive reform of public administration and its overall progress throughout the accession process to date.

“One of the principal developments of 2025 was the adoption of the sectoral strategy for public administration reform together with its 2025–27 action plan. This outcome was the product of a consultation process lasting more than two years, involving Albanian institutions, international partners, the European Commission Directorate, and Sigma, and it reflects the findings of the most recent evaluation report of this institution on Albania.”

Pirdeni stated: “During 2025, 57 measures of this strategy and 119 activities were monitored, which were assessed as having achieved a satisfactory implementation level of over 72 per cent. Progress was particularly evident in strengthening strategic planning, policy coordination, advancing civil service reform, as well as expanding digitalisation and modernising the organisation of public administration. In addition, the foundations were laid for the implementation of a new objective now included in the strategy, namely the development of a green administration.”

According to her, the analysis of work undertaken in 2025 demonstrates that the public administration must continue to pursue this steady trajectory in order to remain attractive not only to new talent, but also to experienced professionals from both the public and private sectors who wish to remain within, or be drawn to, employment in the public sphere.

Pirdeni underlined: “In terms of professionalism and accountability, there has been a marked improvement in administrative culture and adherence to civil service standards. Compared with 2024, the overall number of disciplinary measures has fallen by 33.3 per cent, while dismissals resulting from disciplinary action have been reduced by 35.7 per cent. At the same time, the data show that the public administration today is increasingly attractive and stable year on year. This is reflected in a 19.3 per cent decrease in resignations compared with the previous year, and a 32.8 per cent reduction in overall dismissals from the civil service. These indicators, in fact, point to bolstering the employees’ confidence in pursuing a career within the civil service.”

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