reform-municipalities-Albania – Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

Albania pushes territorial reform, targets EU-standard municipalities by 2030 – Mazniku

Sonila Mehmeti — Tue, 26 May 2026 17:10:41 +0000

TIRANA, May 26 /ATA/ The Special Commission on administrative-territorial reform held its ninth public hearing today in the Kukës region, as part of a multi-phase process that includes open public hearings, hearings in Parliament, and upcoming thematic hearings.

From Kukës, co-chair Arbian Mazniku highlighted what local government at the national level has gained from the 2014 reform, which he described as one of the most important reforms undertaken by the country, producing clear positive results.

He emphasized that it is now time to take the reform to the next level, with higher-quality public services for citizens and more efficient, European-standard municipalities, aligned with the vision of Albania 2030.

“We have implemented a very important reform, which, according to all available data, has proven highly effective, delivering more services, better staff, and a broader scope of functions. Many responsibilities that were not previously within their remit have been delegated to municipalities. However, although many things have been done well, we are now at a point where we must examine which mechanisms can make municipalities function better,” stated Arbian Mazniku during the hearing in the Kukës region.

Mazniku said that strengthening local government is essential for Albania’s EU integration and future access to European funding. He noted that municipalities will need to become more capable in preparing and implementing development projects in order to benefit from EU cohesion and structural funds. He also linked this to the broader goal of completing EU accession negotiations by around 2027–2030, stressing that stronger local institutions are key to effectively using European support for territorial development.

This is the core of the debate we want to have, in order to achieve a sound reform for the next 30–40 years,” said the Socialist co-chair of the reform in his opening remarks.

He further focused on an analysis of the main challenges currently facing local government, stressing that the territorial reform must be adapted to the new demographic realities and the need for more balanced territorial development.

Mazniku said that Albania’s territorial reform must adapt to new demographic realities and address uneven development across the country. He stressed the need for more balanced and sustainable regional growth, as well as a better balance between preserving local identity and ensuring municipalities have the financial and human capacity to deliver services. He concluded that this remains one of the country’s most important long-term reforms.

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