Prime Minister Rama continued today his meetings with MPs and mayors within the framework of the strategic vision “Albania 2030.” The discussions focused on issues concerning public spaces and the necessity of reinstating zero-tolerance territorial control in areas such as Theth, Vlora, Tirana, and beyond.

The meetings also centered on immediate reforms related to improving local governance and accelerating the European integration process, as part of Albania’s unstoppable path toward membership in the European Union.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama: Today, we reconvene to continue addressing the issue of public spaces and, at the same time, to discuss the follow-up on the tasks that were set during our last meeting concerning the Municipality of Tirana. Present here as well are all the regional leaders, as this is a process that is gradually being extended throughout the entire Republic. It is of utmost importance that all Members of Parliament become actively engaged in the regional centers where the issue of public spaces is most acute.

Before delving into some details regarding the continuation of our work, I would like to pause for a moment to address the issue of Theth, in order to respond to some perspectives which, in my view, deserve to be clarified, so that our approach and our position going forward are made absolutely clear to everyone.

Firstly, I have noticed a rather unfortunate narrative surrounding the issue of responsibility and blame—who is to blame—and it appears that some of those commenting on the matter are attempting to place the blame on state institutions.

I want to clarify that we are dealing here with individuals—people—who, in a significant number of cases, are not even residents of that area. In fact, in the most blatant case that triggered this entire process, we are talking about individuals who have not even come forward to claim anything. The State Police is currently investigating how this happened and who is behind the criminal occupation of the very heart of Theth—its iconic postcard image. These are not simple makeshift shelters, but constructions clearly intended for profit.

Naturally, the institutions also bear their share of responsibility, and they have acknowledged this responsibility.

Nevertheless, the State Police has assumed its part of the accountability, just as the Municipality of Shkodër has taken responsibility for its role, particularly concerning the inspectorate for territorial protection.”

We have not betrayed anyone. We went to Theth together with the Mayor, the Albanian Development Fund, and the Cadastre Agency. Since the moment we went there and promised the legalization of all the old houses in Theth—which was the primary concern of the local, indigenous residents—we have completed that process, with approximately 300 legalizations, to be precise. These residents now possess legal ownership of their properties in the Theth area. So, our promise was: ‘We will legalize the property of your grandparents.’

We will continue to support all those who own property in the mountains, provided that they go through the proper institutions and obtain the necessary permits.

In fact, we have even introduced the Mountain Package to further ease the process, considering that many of these individuals do not possess property titles, since in certain areas Law 7501 was not applied. But the theory of ‘why during the tourist season’ or ‘just wait a little’—we will not wait. Especially since this is happening across Albania, including coastal areas.

Today, a confiscation will take place in the city of Vlorë involving a quasi-apartment building under construction, which is in violation of its building permit. This process aims to unify two objectives, and we must be very clear about this: we do not have a single minute to waste, because we have taken on the responsibility of joining the European Union, and we have committed to finalizing the legalization process by the year 2028. This includes the digitalization of maps and more.

However, let it be clear to everyone: no one will be allowed to legalize anything that violates the law or falls outside the legal deadlines.

Tirana is the hottest zone, not only because of its wide appeal in every direction but also due to the high number of consumers it attracts. There is no neighborhood or residential block without its own squatter.

A very good effort has been launched by the Chief Inspector, but it needs to be extended across the entire territory. All the data currently being collected by Members of Parliament throughout the regions must be translated into actionable plans.

Parallelly, we have established a group of 60 local architects, divided into eight teams. Persida has taken on the role of coordinator for these teams to begin designing the revitalization of areas where demolitions will take place and public spaces will be cleared.

Meanwhile, along the coastal line—without listing all the units—there must be increased pressure on all those who are building, as well as on any attempts to construct without permits and to unlawfully occupy territory. It won’t be easy, but it will be relentless and continuous, and it will proceed for as long as necessary, until we reach a point where such violations no longer occur.

Now, we have assigned another task to address several issues in the Municipality of Tirana, which relate to the management of a city that is growing by the day and facing an ever-increasing load of daily demands—sanitation, public spaces like the ones we’re discussing, water supply, and all other essential services. For this reason, we have set up working groups to support the municipality in undertaking both an internal organizational reform and a comprehensive reform of its services.

These matters will be further discussed by the members of the working groups in coordination with the municipal structures. However, I want to emphasize the issue of water supply, where we are now firmly convinced that we must move into a new phase. We need to establish a national water distribution operator, similar to the operator for electricity distribution.

We need a national water enterprise, and we need a new corporation that can address the challenges of investment, manage all relations with donors and financial institutions across Albania—which are currently in disarray—and tackle the problem of fragmented resources and management. After more than 30 years, it is no longer reasonable to expect fragmented systems to produce the results we desire.

Although some improvements have been made by merging operators across different territories—and these improvements are visible—they remain vastly insufficient. We cannot continue to wait endlessly. Therefore, both for water and for waste treatment, we must move to a national level and, at a certain stage, establish synergies with top-tier international enterprises and corporations.

In the waste treatment system, we now have a map that is significantly different from what it once was—frankly, from a time when there was no waste treatment at all. However, it still needs to be consolidated into a national-level waste treatment system.

Since we are on the subject, we are also working intensively with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure on a new fuel supply system. This has become both a necessity and an opportunity to transition toward a fuel supply model where the state takes on a new role as a key actor in contract structuring and fuel distribution. We are confident that this will enable much more effective control—both over pricing and over the entire fuel circulation system.

In parallel, we are working with the Ministry of Health on the issue of pharmaceutical supplies, to ensure consistent provision of medicines across both the public and private healthcare systems, once again with the state as an active participant and stakeholder. The time has come to redefine the role of the state and government in the economy—to generate success by becoming an active partner, a participant.

For this reason, as you may have observed, we have also changed our overall approach to public property. The state is now taking on the role of an owner who no longer gives away public assets but instead claims its rightful share on behalf of the citizens.

Lastly, I want to address the issue of food safety. In this area too, we need to make significant strides forward, as it remains one of our weakest points in relation to the EU accession negotiations. With the suspension of the operations of the National Food Authority (AKU) and the launch of a comprehensive examination process for all AKU inspectors, both oral and written, as well as opening the agency to new applicants, we have taken only the first step.

As of today, I reviewed the latest information before coming here—the process of inspections and confiscation of milk and dairy products without proper invoices has begun.

In conclusion, I want to emphasize that the 83 mandates we have received are a tremendous responsibility for all of us. They are not an additional source of power, but rather a much greater responsibility, one we must all internalize. This sense of responsibility must be transmitted clearly at every level below.

Thank you to the media, and we now move on to the next part of the meeting.