TIRANA, May 26 – The EU Chargé d’Affaires in Albania, Andre Rizzo, underlined the importance of cadastral reform and digital transformation at a regional conference on Western Balkan digitalisation and EU integration.
He described the EU accession process as one of the most significant challenges for the region. In addition, he said these reforms form a core part of the fundamental negotiation clusters, with cadastral reform positioned as a cornerstone of good governance. It ensures legal certainty, property rights, transparency, and fair transactions, while also improving public services, reducing risks of mismanagement, and supporting a more dynamic real estate market.
Rizzo linked modernisation of cadastral systems to stronger economic development and social welfare across the region. Meanwhile, he connected the reform agenda to EU integration frameworks and the Western Balkans Growth Plan, noting that many countries still face legacy issues from previous administrative systems that affect data collection, property registration, and transaction documentation.
Over the past three decades, regional states have made significant progress in addressing these problems. He added that Albania reflects similar regional dynamics, where property registration remains complex due to demographic changes, historical documentation gaps, and evolving legal frameworks. In practice, many buildings remain unregistered, while institutions often store data manually and digital records do not always match conditions on the ground.
At the same time, he said the EU and Albania have strengthened cooperation to address these challenges, focusing on faster property registration, digitalisation of services, improved data accuracy, and stronger communication with citizens. He concluded that the EU supports these processes through targeted programmes combining international and national expertise, and noted that the State Cadastre Agency has improved service delivery, data quality, and stakeholder interaction.
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