Following the meeting, Balla stated that the Socialist Party calls upon all political forces and movements to participate in the 2027 local elections.

He stressed that boycotting is no solution and called for full political participation instead.

“The Socialist Party calls on all political forces and movements to participate in the 2027 local elections. Boycotting the elections is not the solution!” Balla said. /p.s./

Her appointment follows two decrees signed by Begaj on Oct. 19, 2026, ending her previous term in office and appointing her to the new post. The appointment was approved by parliament on Thursday, with 76 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions.

Under Decree No. 521, the president dismissed Pirdeni from her post as minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption. Under Decree No. 522, signed on the same date, she was appointed minister of Public Administration.

Pirdeni previously served as minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption.

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A statement from the President’s Office read that Ambassador Malaj congratulated the President on her election and expressed hope that bilateral relations between the two states would be further intensified during her term.

Meanwhile, Shiroka-Pula emphasized that Kosovo and Albania must continue to move forward together and support one another.

“She underscored that, in addition to closer diplomatic coordination, Kosovo expects strong support from Albania regarding its Euro-Atlantic journey and the process of joining international organizations,” the statement read.

The President’s Office also said that the two officials agreed to promote cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. /Kosovapress/p.s./

Begaj met Walt as she presented her credentials, saying he expected her tenure to further strengthen relations between the two countries.

The head of state highlighted Switzerland’s investment in Albania’s rural areas, saying such projects could improve living standards, support younger generations and contribute to the country’s tourism growth.

“We have people and wonderful nature. Investments in these areas that improve the quality of life are an investment we are making in future generations. Maintaining Albania’s positive tourism trend is also greatly supported by these investments,” Begaj said.

The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in areas including economic development, governance, education and vocational training, healthcare, local government and environmental protection.

Begaj thanked Switzerland for its continued support for Albania’s democratic, economic and social development, as well as for programmes aimed at strengthening institutions and local government.

Walt said Switzerland and Albania had built their relationship on mutual respect, close cooperation and a shared commitment to democratic values.

“I am honoured to take up my duties at a time when this partnership continues to deepen,” Walt said, reaffirming Switzerland’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties in the coming years.

She also reiterated Switzerland’s support for Albania’s European integration and highlighted the Swiss Cooperation Programme for 2026-2028, launched recently to support Albania’s development.

The programme focuses on good governance, sustainable economic development, social inclusion, public services and infrastructure.

Switzerland has been a development partner of Albania since 1992 and has provided about 500 million euros over the past three decades for projects in areas including democratic governance, education and vocational training, economic development and healthcare.

Walt succeeds Ruth Huber, who completed her four-year term as Switzerland’s ambassador to Albania in August.

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Prime Minister Albin Kurti and LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku presented Sejdiu as their consensus candidate at a joint news conference.

Abdixhiku said negotiations had been difficult but that both parties had remained committed to finding a candidate who could secure their joint support.

“From all the names that were proposed, we agreed during our joint discussions on one candidate, and that is Professor Dr. Bekim Sejdiu,” Abdixhiku said, describing his career as distinguished and marked by extensive experience and senior positions.

Electing the country’s next president has been at the centre of months of talks over forming new institutions after the June election.

Sejdiu will still need enough support in parliament to be elected, but the agreement marks the clearest move yet towards ending the deadlock.

Sejdiu, born in 1974, is a judge of Kosovo’s Constitutional Court and a professor at the University of Prishtina’s Faculty of Law.

He has extensive diplomatic experience, having served as Kosovo’s ambassador to Türkiye from 2008 to 2012 and as the country’s consul general in New York from 2012 to 2014.

Before becoming ambassador, Sejdiu served as a political adviser in the office of Kosovo’s first foreign minister.

He has taught at the University of Prishtina’s Faculty of Law since 2002. He studied law at the university and later pursued postgraduate studies in international relations, democracy and human rights. He holds a doctorate in international and diplomatic studies.

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Through a joint statement, Chairman of the Party for Democratic Action (PVD) Shaip Kamberi, Chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party (PDSH) Ragmi Mustafa and Chairman of the Democratic Party (PD) Nagip Arifi emphasize that they consider Mr. Bislimi a figure with a supra-partisan, independent and unifying profile, particularly suitable for the current political circumstances in Kosovo.

“One of the main reasons for our support is his extraordinary and continuous contribution to the cause of the Albanians of the Presheva Valley in the United States of America,” they state.

Also, the leaders of the Albanian political parties in Presheva underline that, “For more than two decades, Bislimi has used his relations and credibility in Washington to keep the issue of the Valley in the attention of American policymakers, particularly in the United States Congress and Senate.” /p.s./

In a statement to the media, Begaj’s office said Bllako had never served as a presidential adviser and had no relationship with the institution.

“Mr Alqi Bllako has never been and is not an adviser to the President of the Republic and has no relationship with this institution,” the president’s press office said.

Press office said the clarification was issued to prevent any misinformation about the composition of the president’s cabinet.

Bllako is a former lawmaker and senior environment official who was convicted in a corruption case linked to the Tirana waste incinerator.

The president’s office said it issued the statement to prevent false information about his staff from spreading.

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Konjufca said disclosing the candidates at this stage could harm negotiations with the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).

“Vetevendosje is ready. Prime Minister Kurti is ready. We have the names, but I cannot share them with you, as that would undermine the negotiating process,” he said.

He added that the LDK was also expected to be ready soon for talks, after its leader Lumir Abdixhiku said last week that the two sides would meet this week.

Konjufca said LVV leader Albin Kurti was ready to discuss the presidential election with Abdixhiku and expressed optimism that a meeting between the two could bring the parties closer to an agreement.

He said the talks were expected to focus on specific candidates and that one of the names discussed could become Kosovo’s next president.

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According to the President’s press office, the meeting focused on Albania’s strong relations with the Holy See, the country’s European Union accession process and Albania’s contribution to peace and stability in the region.

Particular attention was also attached to religious faith and the persecution of Christian clergy and believers during Albania’s communist era, the statement said.

“Albania suffered terribly from the religion ban under the communist regime,” President Begaj said, according to his office.

The head of state underlined that Albanians have preserved their faith in God through centuries of hardship and oppression, often enduring persecution and martyrdom.

Begaj invited Pope Leo XIV to pay an official visit to Albania, stressing the importance such a visit would hold for the country.

During the visit, Begaj also met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, for talks covering international developments, with particular focus on the Western Balkans and Albania’s European integration process.

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In a message marking Europe Day, Begaj praised the European Union as a project built on peace, security, democracy, prosperity, solidarity and freedom.

“Today we celebrate Europe Day and honor all those who built and made the European Union project a reality, a project rooted in peace, security, democracy, prosperity, solidarity and freedom,” the president said.

Begaj also highlighted Albania’s European path, saying the country is now nearer than ever to EU membership.

“Albania is today closer than ever to becoming part of the European family, ready to add its energy and values to the European project,” he said.

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