16th EU–Albania Subcommittee Meeting on Transport, Energy, Environment, and Regional Development

The 16th meeting of the Subcommittee on Transport, Energy, Environment, and Regional Development, held under the framework of the EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement, took place in Tirana on 24 June 2025. The meeting was co-chaired for the European Commission by Mr. Andrew Williams, Team Leader in the Albania and North Macedonia Unit at the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood and for Albania by Ms. Enkelejda Mucaj, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy.

The Subcommittee provided an opportunity to discuss issues falling under Negotiation Clusters 4 and 5, respectively covering the Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity and Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion.

Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity

The Commission welcomed Albania’s progress and underlined the need for continued development of the core TEN-T transport and energy networks, in line with the priority project list of the regional core and comprehensive transport network. Albania was invited to actively cooperate with the Coordinator of the Western Balkans–Eastern Mediterranean Corridor in preparing the Corridor’s work plan.

Transport

The Commission acknowledged Albania’s active participation in the work of the Transport Community and encouraged continued implementation of commitments under the Transport Community Treaty Action Plans. It welcomed progress in developing a national road safety strategy and urged authorities to conduct thorough road safety audits and inspections, and to adopt a predictive safety assessment approach in line with the Road Infrastructure Safety Management (RISM) Directive.

Further alignment is required with the EU acquis, particularly in the areas of rail, road, and maritime transport.

Energy

The Commission welcomed Albania’s steps to diversify its energy mix away from hydropower toward other renewable energy sources, through competitive processes. Notable progress was also acknowledged in the electricity market, including the launch of the intraday market in ALPEX and the liberalisation of customer supply at high and medium voltage levels, including 10 kV since January 2025.

Albania was urged to adopt and implement national legislation aligning with the Electricity Integration Package and to continue reforms in line with Energy Community Treaty obligations and the EU acquis.

Environment

The parties discussed Albania’s progress and remaining challenges in implementing EU legislation on air, waste, and water. The Commission reiterated that infrastructure investments in protected areas must comply with relevant environmental acquis and undergo rigorous Environmental Impact Assessments, including transparent public consultations prior to implementation.

The Commission welcomed Albania’s active role in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, highlighting the successful April 2025 flood management exercise with international teams as a strong signal of Albania’s regional disaster preparedness. However, Albania was encouraged to accelerate environmental reforms and alignment with the acquis across multiple areas.

Climate Change

The Commission welcomed Albania’s efforts to develop a national policy framework on climate change, notably through the establishment of a monitoring, reporting, accreditation, and verification mechanism. Albania was encouraged to adopt national legislation aligned with the EU acquis and its obligations under the Energy Community Treaty in a timely manner.

Regional Development

The Commission welcomed progress on the forthcoming seven-year National Strategy and Plan for Regional Development and the post-2030 General National Spatial Plan. It also acknowledged preparatory work on the European Code of Conduct on Partnership, the National Single Project Pipeline, and the adoption of the Anti-Fraud Strategy 2025–2027.

The Commission urged Albania to strengthen institutional and administrative capacities—especially at the local and municipal level—and to foster greater inclusiveness and political dialogue. Improved coordination between central ministries and local self-governments is expected, particularly on key EU Regional Policy priorities.