Tirana, 31 July 2025 – On 31 July, the second Steering Committee meeting was held for the project “EU GoAL – Institutional Support to Albania in the Agriculture and Fisheries Sectors towards European Union Accession”, funded by the Italian Cooperation and implemented by CIHEAM Bari.
This was a key milestone, marked by the participation of Minister Anila Denaj, and served as a platform for dialogue among the three main stakeholders involved in the initiative. For the past 18 months, they have been working to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in aligning with the EU acquis and preparing for accession negotiations, with particular focus on Chapter 11 (Agriculture and Rural Development) and Chapter 13 (Fisheries). The overarching goal is to strengthen institutional capacities in preparation for the opening of Cluster 5 “Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion” by the end of 2025.
In the remarks by Minister Denaj, AICS Tirana Deputy Director Letizia Fischioni, and CIHEAM Bari representatives, the achievements to date were emphasized, along with the project team’s readiness to respond to the evolving needs of the negotiation process by adapting activities to the Ministry’s strategic priorities.
AICS Tirana’s support to the rural development sector in Albania extends beyond the EU GoAL project. Through a package comprising 15 projects – 10 grant-funded and 5 funded through soft loans – with a total value exceeding EUR 60 million, the office is actively engaged in coordinating and creating synergies among the various funded initiatives. The goal is to enhance their impact and effectiveness, strategically supporting Albania’s EU integration journey and contributing to a more inclusive, sustainable, and competitive agricultural sector in the Western Balkans.
