As part of the continued commitment to advancing the European Integration process, the 16th Meeting of the Subcommittee on Transport, Energy, Environment and Regional Development was held, with the participation of Mr. Arbjan Mazniku, Minister of State for Local Government, representatives of Albanian state institutions, as well as the Delegation of the European Union to Albania.

The session on Regional Development and the Coordination of Structural Instruments (DG REGIO) focused on the progress made in implementing regional development policies, in the context of preparations for the opening of negotiations on Chapter 22 – Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments. The discussion began with the issue of adopting the National Strategy and Action Plan for Regional Development and Cohesion 2021–2027.

Institutional development was addressed as a key component for the effective implementation of regional policies and the fulfilment of Chapter 22 criteria, with particular emphasis on strengthening administrative capacities, enhancing multi-level governance, and developing human resource sustainability policies (retention policy).

Discussions also covered the update of the Roadmap for the establishment of national structures for the management of EU funds, the integration of the single project pipeline into the national investment management system, as well as experiences gained from the implementation of IPA I and IPA II, especially with regard to the indirect management model (IMBC).

In conclusion, the current state of implementation of territorial cooperation programmers for the periods 2014–2020 and 2021–2027 was reviewed, highlighting the importance of further strengthening Albania’s engagement in cross-border and interregional programmers as part of the convergence process with EU policies.