TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Albania has made progress in aligning its legislation on culture and intellectual property with European Union standards, Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Blendi Gonxhja said following a meeting with EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa on Saturday.
The talks focused on the country’s EU accession process, joint projects and priorities in culture, youth and cultural heritage.
Gonxhja said the European Commission’s 2026 Progress Report highlighted achievements in these areas, particularly reforms and the alignment of Albanian legislation with EU standards.
In the field of culture, Chapter 26 has been assessed as having made good progress and provisionally closed, reflecting Albania’s commitment to cultural development, European cooperation and expanding opportunities for young people, he said.
Progress has also been made under Chapter 7, covering intellectual property, particularly in protecting creators’ rights and aligning legislation with EU standards through the adoption of the Law on Copyright and Related Rights.
Gonxhja also highlighted Albania’s continued contribution to negotiations on Chapters 1 and 29, covering the free movement of goods and the customs union, with particular emphasis on the protection and movement of cultural property.
The meeting also addressed the Bylis-Klos Archaeological Park, where the European Union is supporting a 6.25 million euro investment aimed at combining cultural heritage preservation with local economic development.
The minister also pointed to the European Commission’s recommendation that the Council begin preparations in 2027 for drafting Albania’s EU Accession Treaty.
Gonxhja thanked the EU for its continued support for programmes and projects promoting the development of arts, creativity, cultural heritage, youth and sport, as well as Albania’s tourism potential.
/gj.m/r.e/u.sh/
