Mazniku: New Territorial Reform Must Close Development Gap Between Municipalities

Albania aims to reduce development gaps between municipalities through a new territorial reform.

Administrative-Territorial Reform Co-Chair Arbjan Mazniku spoke during a public hearing in Durrës. He said balanced territorial development remains a major challenge for local government.

Mazniku said the 2014 reform brought positive results. He noted better services and lower municipal debt. However, he stressed that uneven development still exists across the country.

He pointed to tourist cities like Durrës, which show strong economic indicators. He also highlighted slower growth in other municipalities. He called for more balanced development between regions.

Mazniku said many municipalities still struggle to provide quality services. He linked the problem to limited finances and territorial issues.

He also connected the reform with Albania’s European Union path. He said municipalities must strengthen their capacities to absorb EU funds and benefit from social cohesion and structural programs.

Mazniku said Albania should use the period until 2027 to prepare municipalities for future EU funding programs.

/a.c/

The post Mazniku: New Territorial Reform Must Close Development Gap Between Municipalities appeared first on RTSH English.

Original post Here

News
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 6, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News
Turkey at the centre of global diplomacy as Ankara hosts NATO Summit on 7 July, agenda revealed

TIRANA, July 6 – Turkey will host the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara on 7 July. The meeting takes place amid global uncertainty. Ankara last hosted a NATO summit in Istanbul in 2004. Meanwhile, the summit will gather 32 heads of state and government. …

News
Second phase of soft loan scheme opens, applications due by July 31, official says

TIRANA, July 6 – The second phase of the municipal soft loan scheme opened on July 1 after the completion of the first stage, a city official said. He said 2,500 applicants were approved in the first phase out of 4,909 applications. However, he added that several applicants were excluded …