The agreements cover the use of artificial intelligence, the protection of lawyers and the international claims mechanism established in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Gogu said Albania had joined the Council of Europe’s framework convention on artificial intelligence, stressing that emerging technologies must operate within legal safeguards and respect human dignity.

Justice Minister said he had also signed a convention designed to strengthen protections for lawyers, ensuring they can carry out their professional duties free from undue pressure or interference.

The third convention concerns the Claims Commission for Ukraine, a mechanism linked to international efforts to address damage caused by Russia’s invasion of the country.

“Albania has supported Ukraine from day one. The aggressor must pay,” Gogu said.

He added that all three conventions reflect the principle that democracy and the rule of law are strengthened through enforceable legal instruments rather than political declarations alone.

“Signing is the beginning. Ratification is the commitment. Implementation is the test,” Gogu said.

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The framework agreement for the national financing programme, titled “Double Your Business”, was signed in Tirana by the Bank of Albania, government ministries and commercial banks.

Signatories included Agriculture Minister Andis Salla, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj, Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, and Seyhan Pencabligil, deputy chairman of the Albanian Association of Banks and chief executive of BKT. Prime Minister Edi Rama also attended the ceremony.

The programme aims to support Albanian SMEs through preferential financing for investments in innovation, digitalisation, technology and green projects.

Authorities described the agreement as an important step towards modernising the economy, strengthening competitiveness and aligning Albania more closely with European Union standards.

Under the scheme, the Bank of Albania will provide 250 million euros in liquidity, to be channelled through the banking sector in the form of low-interest loans for businesses.

The programme will also be supported by a 30 million euro sovereign guarantee from the finance ministry, covering up to 70% of collateral requirements in an effort to improve access to financing for businesses and farmers.

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The law on the revaluation of real estate establishes a legal framework for reassessing property owned by individuals and legal entities, aligning property values with current market prices.

The revaluation rate will be set at 5% and will apply throughout 2026.

The hunting law follows the end of a decade-long moratorium imposed to protect biodiversity and allow the recovery of wild fauna populations.

The legislation introduces clear rules for the organisation and practice of hunting, aiming to preserve biological diversity and maintain the balance of natural habitats.

Drawing on European experience, the law envisages hunting as a potential source of income for rural areas, supporting job creation and infrastructure development. A key change shifts responsibility from central authorities to municipalities, granting local governments oversight of hunting activities.

Begaj also signed the law ratifying the Riyadh Design Treaty and its implementing regulations, adopted in Riyadh on Nov. 22, 2024.

The treaty allows member states flexibility in setting legal requirements for industrial designs and seeks to promote innovation and creativity, strengthen intellectual property protection and improve product quality, supporting competitiveness in international markets.

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Building human capital, employment, helping young people develop skill are high under the RCC agenda, hence the main goal of this MoU is to enable the RCC to provide one full scholarship annually for one student from South East Europe, including the Western Balkans, at the College of Europe Tirana Campus.

“This is an initiative we are pioneering for the first time within RCC. It is a great addition to what we have been doing so far on youth agenda – improving policies, mobility programmes, paid internships – more than 30 students have been interns at RCC, open talks and visits to universities,” the RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu said.

On her part, Mogherini highlighted the fact that RCC has decided to support the College of Europe in the historic establishment of the new campus in Tirana through a new scholarship scheme.

Scholarships provided by the RCC will cover tuition, board and lodging and, among other things, academic study trips. The courses are scheduled to begin in August.

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The Convention was signed by the Minister of Justice Ulsi Manja, who is on an official visit to The Hague.

During his stay in The Hague, Justice Minister met with the International Criminal Court (ICC) senior officials.

A day ago, Manja also signed the Protocol on the Law Applicable to Maintenance Obligations in the presence of Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), and Jules van Eijndhoven, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

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The agreement was signed by the Western Balkans representatives, the Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, the Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, the acting Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazovic, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, the Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Kristo and the Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabic, in the light of the Berlin Process Summit held today in Tirana.

The move provides for the recognition of professions, such as nurses, midwives, doctors (basic medical training, general practitioners and specialists), dental practitioners, pharmacists, architects and veterinary surgeons, and further facilitation of the movement of professionals and the utilization of the great potential of human resources.//a.i/

The agreements were signed by the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, Prime Minister of North Macedonia Zoran Zaev, and the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic.

The three signed first the Agreement on Cooperation in Disaster Protection in the Western Balkans. The agreement provides for mutual support in the event of fires, floods and other natural calamities.

The Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Facilitating the Import, Export and Movement of Goods in the Western Balkans was second to be signed, based on the political readiness of the three countries to strengthen the mutual and understanding relations, eliminate barriers, contribute to economic progress and boost volume of trade exchanges.

The leaders of Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia also signed he Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Relation to Free Access to the Labor Market in the Western Balkans.

The signing parties confirm readiness to facilitate movement of people, provide easier access to the labour market by issuing due work permits and simplify procedures for temporary stay permits.

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