Albania allocates 20% increase to budget for foreign affairs in 2025
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has announced a historic budget of 3.8 billion lekë for 2025, representing a nearly 20% increase from 2024. The Minister presented the budget and outlined the strategic objectives to the Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs, emphasizing efforts to strengthen ties with the European Union and boost economic diplomacy.
Why is this important: The 2025 budget highlights the government’s commitment to advancing EU integration and expanding international influence.
Key projects:
- Digital upgrades: Major projects include the modernization of the online consular services and the implementation of the E-Visa system to improve support for Albanians abroad.
- Support for the diaspora: Strengthening cultural and economic ties with the Albanian diaspora remains a priority, aimed at fostering sustainable development and national growth.
Foreign policy objectives for 2025:
- Advancing EU integration: Preparing Albania for EU membership by 2030 through institutional reforms and proactive engagement in European initiatives.
- Active regional participation: Involvement in the Berlin Process and the EU Growth Plan to facilitate regional integration.
- Multilateral engagement: Strengthening Albania’s role in international organizations, such as the UN Human Rights Council and UNESCO’s Executive Board.
- Strategic partnerships: Deepening relations with key partners, including the U.S., EU, UK, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, focusing on security and economic development.
- Economic diplomacy: Promoting trade, exports, and foreign investments to boost the national economy.
- Diaspora engagement: Leveraging the diaspora’s potential for national development, with improved consular services and stronger community ties.
- Digital services for citizens: Enhancing assistance through digital platforms for faster and more efficient protection of Albanians abroad.
- Support for Kosovo: Advocating for Kosovo’s international recognition and fostering unity among Albanians in the region.
Opposition challenges: The budget presentation sparked debates, with opposition MPs questioning the legality of ambassadors’ participation in diaspora meetings in Greece, Italy, and the U.S., alleging these were politically motivated gatherings. The Minister defended the meetings, clarifying they were not electoral events but rather engagements with the diaspora. He also emphasized that the meetings occurred on non-working days and did not violate the civil service code, which, he argued, overrides the Foreign Service Law in such cases.
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