Joint Consultative Committee on Albania meets in Elbasan

Albania must maintain momentum on far-reaching reforms, notably on the rule of law and judicial independence, to secure membership of the European Union, members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) said during a visit to Albania on 30 October.

The delegation of eight CoR members, led by Antonio Mazzeo (IT/PES), Vice-President of the Regional Council of Tuscany, met Albanian local and regional leaders in Elbasan in the framework of the CoR's Joint Consultative Committee on Albania, which was created in 2025.

CoR members also exchanged views with representatives of the national government and the EU's ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa. They reiterated support for Albania's accession to the EU.

A topic of major concern for Albanian local and regional authorities, public transport, was the subject of a dedicated debate by the Joint Consultative Committee.

Recent weeks have seen clashes between protestors and police in a number of Albanian municipalities. In response, members of four of the political groups represented in the CoR – the European People's Party, the Party of European Socialists, Renew Europe and the Greens and Progressives – issued a statement of condemning "acts of violence" and expressing "concern of the excessive use of force against protesters", urging "all parties to exercise restraint and [calling] on the authorities to ensure proportionate policing and independently investigate alleged abuses, with accountability for those responsible".

They also said that they were "closely following" the situation concerning the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, who currently faces judicial proceedings. They underscored "the importance of upholding procedural safeguards and the independence of the judiciary".

More information: 

• Meeting documents: Available here.