Prime Minister Edi Rama announced today that Albania has been unanimously elected as the President of Forest Europe for the 2026–2030 term.

Rama hailed the milestone as a significant diplomatic achievement that further elevates the nation’s international profile. Until 2030, Albania will steer the organization’s political agenda and ministerial process, coordinating Pan-European priorities for the forestry sector.

” How did it happen that Germany and the United Kingdom supported this significant and unanimous decision”, PM Rama stated pointing at the recent demonstrations in Zvërnec by utilizing irony to counter the claims made against him. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Outgoing interim president Monsignor Gjergj Meta handed over the position to Brahimaj, according to a KNFSH statement.

The meeting also saw the unanimous approval of the final phase of the KNFSH Strategic Plan for 2026-2028, presented by Secretary General Prof. Genti Kruja. The plan focuses on strengthening interfaith dialogue, promoting peaceful coexistence through education on universal values, and enhancing the role of youth and women in society.

The board additionally approved the 2026 budget to support projects and activities outlined in the strategic plan.

“The meeting also addressed current social issues and the role of religious communities in tackling educational, cultural, and social challenges. Decisions were signed, reaffirming KNFSH’s commitment to dialogue, harmony and interfaith coexistence,” the statement said.

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Interreg Europe is the EU’s and most extensive interregional cooperation programme, with a total budget of €394.5 million dedicated to helping national, regional, and local authorities design better public policies through shared experience, peer learning, and improved governance. Albania’s Presidency is significant not only because it marks the programme’s first leadership by a non-EU country, but also because it underscores Albania’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to European policymaking at the strategic level.

The programme focuses on six key areas that reflect Europe’s long-term development priorities: supporting a smarter, more competitive economy; advancing the green transition and climate resilience; improving mobility and connectivity; promoting social inclusion and equal opportunities; strengthening place-based local development; and enhancing governance and cooperation among institutions. Albanian institutions actively contribute to all six fields, demonstrating the country’s commitment to aligning national policies with European priorities.

Since joining Interreg Europe in 2024, Albania has rapidly increased its involvement. To date, 32 projects include Albanian partners, and 19 public institutions—ranging from ministries and municipalities to development agencies—are implementing activities. Implementation continues to progress steadily, with the execution rate expected to reach around 15% by the end of January. Through this participation, Albania gains access to European expertise, strengthens the capacity of its public administration, and deepens its preparation for future management of EU structural funds.

Reflecting on Albania’s leadership role, Eridana Çano, General Director of SASPAC, stated:

“Taking on the Presidency of the Interreg Europe Monitoring Committee is a landmark achievement for Albania and a clear demonstration of our growing role within European cooperation frameworks. We are committed to ensuring strong governance, supporting our beneficiaries, and contributing to a programme that drives innovation, sustainability, and better policymaking across Europe.”

The upcoming Monitoring Committee meeting in Tirana offers a significant opportunity to assess progress, foster knowledge exchange, and further strengthen cooperation across the 36 participating countries—affirming Albania’s position as an active and trusted partner in Europe’s regional development landscape.

Besnik Dervishi, Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in Albania and highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and access to public information in building open and sustainable societies.

“The election of Albania to this important international role is a clear recognition of the commitment and professionalism of the institution of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection,” Commissioner Dervishi said.

The 2025 ICIC conference focused on “Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age,” addressing the need for timely and accurate environmental data amid technological changes. The event brought together representatives from independent institutions, civil society, and experts worldwide.

Dervishi also held bilateral talks with Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information to strengthen cooperation in transparency and data protection.

Canada will host the next ICIC conference in 2027. Albania’s election as ICIC President confirms its rising stature in the international arena and commitment to good governance.

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In his opening remarks at the Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI) in Tirana, Foreign Minister pointed out Albania’s active role in regional cooperation during its presidency of the CEI and other key initiatives.

“Albania has had the privilege of chairing several important presidencies this year, allowing us to engage with regional partners on key issues,” Hasani said. Albania has overseen the presidency of the Central European Initiative, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and other initiatives aimed at fostering regional cooperation.

Hasani added that Albania has also successfully held the chairmanship of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation.

Foreign Minister Hasani also reiterated Albania’s support for Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggression, stressing Albania’s continued efforts to aid Ukraine through regional initiatives like CEI and support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Albania’s presidency has been about practical measures to strengthen regional cooperation. This includes focusing on connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and fostering ties in key sectors like culture, tourism, and economy,” Hasani explained.

Hasani noted Albania’s success in opening the first EU negotiation cluster in October, becoming the third country in the Western Balkans to do so. He reaffirmed that Albania’s EU path remains a priority, with a commitment to opening more chapters in the near future.

“Albania is focused on continuing its advancement in the EU integration process,” he said, while also welcoming the European Council’s decision to open membership talks for Ukraine, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He said that these decisions signal Europe’s commitment to its neighbors, including the Western Balkans.

Foreign Minister concluded by affirming Albania’s commitment to regional stability and European integration, expressing pride in the achievements of its CEI presidency.

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The gathering takes place under Albanian Presidency of the Central European Initiative and it was attended by the Deputy Parliament Speaker Ermonela Felaj, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, the Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mimi Kodheli, the head of the Albanian Delegation and acting president of the CEI Parliamentary Dimension, Etjen Xhafaj, CEI Deputy Secretary General, Zsuzsanna Kiraly, as well as representatives from the countries in the region.

The CEI Parliamentary Dimension President, Etjen Xhafaj, called on the EU member states participating in CEI to support progress of the candidate countries on the path towards European Union membership.

In her remarks, the Deputy Speaker Ermonela Felaj noted that taking over the CEI Presidency on the 35th year of the organization is a huge responsibility, but also a great opportunity for Albania to reaffirm the vision, contribution and commitment to regional cooperation, peace, security and the European perspective of Albania and other countries aspiring to join the European family.

The chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs Mimi Kodheli underlined that EU accession is a top national priority, saying that Albania is strongly committed to pressing ahead with reform efforts.

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Speaker Nikolla voiced confidence that Belgium will successfully deliver on its priorities during its Presidency of the Council.

“These priorities are the roadmap to a stronger, more united, more democratic, more competitive and stable Europe, with more welfare and social justice, committed to its citizens and open to the world,” Nikolla said in her message.

Nikolla also noted that EU enlargement is one of the priorities of the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council, “as the Belgium states on its priorities list that enlargement makes us all stronger.”

“Albanian Parliament will continue to contribute to the acceleration of the country’s Europeanization path, guaranteeing the democratic legitimacy, transparency and comprehensive character of this process to deliver the aspirations of the Albanians as the region’s most pro-European people,” Nikolla said.

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Albanian delegation to the meeting was led by the Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Besart Kadia.

Kadia highlighted the significant progress and achievements during the presidency of Türkiye, and voiced Albania’s readiness and commitment to assume the next six-month chairmanship of this  regional initiative starting as of January 2024.

In this context, Deputy Minister Kadia highlighted Albania’s concrete accomplishments during presidency of the UN Security Council, the Berlin Process, etc.

Headquartered in Istanbul, the BSEC was established in 1992 with the aim of acting in a spirit of friendship and good neighborliness and enhancing mutual respect and confidence, dialogue and cooperation among the member states.

The group has 13 members: Türkiye, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.

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In a reaction on the X social media platform, Foreign Minister Igli Hasani wrote that, “While Albania takes over the leadership of the CEI, we remain committed to advancing the CEI’s goals for regional cooperation and EU integration”.

He expressed gratitude to Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova Nicu Popescu for the extraordinary work of the Moldovan CEI Presidency.

” As Albania assumes the Central European Initiative presidency, we remain committed to advance CEI’s mission and goals in fostering regional cooperation, EU integration and sustainable development. Kudos to FM Nicu Popescu for Moldova’s CEI Presidency outstanding work in supporting EU integration of CEI candidate countries,” emphasized Hasani. /p.s./

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani said via the social media that Albanian presidency of the UN Security Council attached special focus on the urgency to uphold international law and the UN Charter, and to speed up humanitarian aid worldwide.

“Albania is proud to have successfully carried the weight of steering the UNSC in such critical times,” Foreign Minister Hasani said.

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