Report TV – Albania opens Negotiations on the Green Agenda with the EU! Gjipali: Chapters require High Investments, September 16, 2025

In an interview with Report TV, Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director of the European Movement in Albania (EMA), spoke about the opening of Cluster 4, stressing that the chapters included there are among the most difficult and most important, as they deal with energy, transport, and the environment. For these three chapters, Albania must align its legislation with that of the European Union at 100%, which requires substantial investments. “The bill is high, partly covered by the EU, but another part must be provided by the state budget,” he stated.

Gjipali emphasized that businesses operating in these sectors will also face additional costs, since higher standards mean greater investments, which will inevitably be reflected in the market. Speaking about infrastructure, he underlined that every future investment must comply with European standards. “We need proper road signage, construction quality, and other safety elements that remain problematic in Albania today. All of these are part of the legislation that must be aligned, and for this not only significant funding is needed, but also human resources, both in public administration and in the private sector,” he explained.

He described the environment chapter as the most difficult, since it requires considerable investment in both capital and human resources. For this reason, the Albanian government has requested transitional periods, which the EU is very likely to approve, allowing certain standards to be met even after accession, due to costs that reach billions of euros. “This has also been the case in other countries,” he added, emphasizing that the obligation of the Albanian state is to present clear work plans and secure financial and human resources.

Regarding agriculture, Gjipali announced that the respective chapter is expected to open within 2025, underlining its importance due to the large number of Albanians engaged in this sector.

Report TV – Albania opens Negotiations on the Green Agenda with the EU! Gjipali: Chapters require High Investments, September 16, 2025