Deputy Prime Minister Ms Ledina Mandija introduced today the new director of the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency, Fadil Shahini, in the presence of the directors of departments and sector leaders.

During the presentation, Deputy Prime Minister Mandija said that this appointment was made in view of the May 18 political agreement between political parties, in order to guarantee free and fair elections for the Albanian citizens. It is the duty of Mr Shahini and of the employees of the agency, to correctly apply the obligations deriving from the Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 473 dated 01.06.2017 “On taking measures and monitoring the activity, conduct or use of human, financial and logistical resources of the state administration during the electoral process for the 2017 Assembly elections in Albania”, as well as the legal framework for the elections in force.

Specifically, Mrs Mandija noted that no procurement procedure, concession or public-private partnership should start until the end of the election campaign, and called on the agency staff not to engage in electoral activities during the working hours, while respecting after working hours the restrictions defined by the legal framework in force, not to publicly express their political beliefs and preferences, by taking actions that consist in campaigning for a political/electoral subject or candidate, being the protagonist in political activities, or manifesting with placards, banners or any other means in writing and publicly exposed.

The Deputy Prime Minister voiced her support to the new Director of ARDA, and encouraged him to act in accordance with the DCM to ensure free and fair elections.

At the end of this presentation, the Deputy Prime Minister reminded once again the administration to continue the work and to implement precisely the tasks assigned by the law in the exercise of their functions.