The government has made another intervention in the composition of Albania’s negotiating team for European Union membership, shifting names and responsibilities across several key chapters. The decision approved by the Council of Ministers affects sensitive areas such as agriculture, finance, health, competition and local government, while the most visible change is the removal of Ervin Demo from Chapter 22 and his replacement by Oltjon Muzaka.
Most notable move: Chapter 22 goes to Oltjon Muzaka
According to the government decision, Oltjon Muzaka, deputy minister of the interior, has been appointed negotiator responsible for Chapter 22, replacing Ervin Demo, minister of state for local government.
This is one of the most striking changes in the latest reorganization, as it affects a leading role in an important chapter of the negotiation process. The decision gives no political or administrative explanation for the replacement, limiting itself to reformulating the composition of the group.
Changes in agriculture, health and competition
In Chapter 12, which is linked to food safety and veterinary and phytosanitary policy, Tana Kika and Arian Jaupllari have been appointed co-negotiators. With this move, Jaupllari no longer appears as the negotiator responsible, but at the same level as Kika.
In the health sector, Denada Seferi remains co-negotiator only for Chapter 19, while Eugena Tomini takes responsibility for Chapter 28, which is linked to consumer protection and public health.
For Chapter 8, which covers competition policy, Denar Biba no longer appears as negotiator, but as co-negotiator together with Mario Keputa, deputy minister of economy and innovation.
Redistribution also in finance and the economy
In the new package of names, Enkelejd Musabelliu sees his responsibilities expanded and becomes negotiator for Chapters 1 and 6, while also keeping the role of co-negotiator for Chapters 28 and 30.
Andi Memeti will be the negotiator responsible for Chapters 32 and 33, as well as co-negotiator for Chapter 4. Meanwhile, Natasha Ahmetaj will be co-negotiator for Chapters 4 and 17.
Endrit Yzeiraj also takes on a broader role: he continues as negotiator for the economic criterion and Chapters 16 and 29, but is also assigned duties as co-negotiator for Chapters 9 and 17. Adela Xhemali, on the other hand, will be co-negotiator for Chapter 9.
A structural reference within the group is also changed
The decision affects not only the names, but also the internal organization of the negotiating structure. In one of the previous references, Chapters 11 and 12 are replaced with Chapters 11 and 13.
This means that, alongside the personnel changes, the government is also rewriting the technical division of coverage for some areas of the EU negotiations.
Meeting in Brussels on three of Albania’s chapters
At the same time, a meeting of the Working Party on Enlargement is taking place in Brussels, where three chapters of negotiations with Albania are expected to be reviewed.
The focus is on Chapter 6 on company law, Chapter 7 on intellectual property, and Chapter 13 on fisheries and aquaculture. The meeting is also discussing files related to Montenegro and the draft conclusions of the EU Council on the enlargement process.
The government decision entered into force immediately and is expected to be published in the Official Gazette.
Beyond the technical wording, the moves show that Albania’s negotiating structure continues to remain in constant reorganization, in a process where institutional stability is considered just as important as the names placed at the head of the chapters.