Edi Rama attended today an expanded meeting with the General Chief Inspector and the heads of the country’s inspectorates to discuss the challenges of the new phase of the inspection system reform.

The meeting, opened by the Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj, focused on the main milestones of the inspection reform, the preliminary work carried out to establish the legal framework, the consolidation of inspectorates, the simplification of inspection procedures, and the increase of transparency in inspection processes, among other issues.

Prime Minister Rama stated that this is a very important moment for the inspection system reform, as the first phase, which required extensive preparation, has now been completed, and the process is moving into the phase of deep implementation. This phase will be accompanied by the start of work to build the new complex of the General Inspectorate, which will provide optimal conditions to bring together all inspectorates and give them the sense of a single body, even though within this structure the individual inspectorates will retain their autonomy.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama:

Thank you very much.

First, I would like to wish the General Chief Inspector every success in his work.

I would like to wish every success to the Chief Inspector of the National Inspectorate for Territorial Protection.

I would like to wish every success to the Chief Inspector of the National Food Authority (AKU), and likewise to all the others present here.

This is a very important moment in this reform, because after we have overcome the first phase, which required extensive preparation, the study of models, and the creation of a shared conviction that it was necessary to move beyond the organizational scheme of the past, which, to be fair, was not easy, since relinquishing areas of responsibility is never easy, we are now moving into the phase of deep implementation of this reform. This phase will be accompanied by the start of work to build the new complex of the General Inspectorate, which will be an environment designed to create optimal conditions for bringing together all inspectorates and giving them the sense of a single body. Even though within this body there are structures that retain their autonomy, one thing is certain: until now, we cannot say that we have made the necessary progress in inspection.

Inspection remains a problem across the entire machinery of how our state functions. It remains a problem of organization, a problem of mindset, and a problem in the gap between serving and obstructing those who should be served and who, not infrequently, instead of being served, are mistreated and abused. This is the truth.

However, on the other hand, I have always believed that the system, and improving the system, is the answer. Now, I would like to say a few words about the fact that the General Chief Inspector comes from a part of his career that has been political, but before that he was a key figure in the former justice system. He has all the necessary background to carry out this work, because legal training in this case is extremely important. At the same time, he faces the challenge of addressing, together with Blerina and the others, all the things he has said in Parliament.

We are a very small country to be divided into many parts. In politics, division is natural, because we live in a democratic system. But when it comes to the state, when it comes to shared objectives, if we are given the opportunity, it is better to try to work together.

In a way, this is also a personal challenge, because this gentleman did not spare me either when I was in Parliament. Now let us see how he implements in practice the things for which he never missed a chance to tell us that we were not doing them properly, and I say this very sincerely.

Moving from theory to practical work is like moving from poetry to a novel. It is a completely different story. That said, there are certain things we must set as obligations for ourselves and carry them out. It makes no sense for inspectorates not to have work plans, so that inspectors, from those responsible for areas in the center of Tirana to those covering small towns, have a clear work plan and are accountable for it, instead of leaving home like hunters setting off in different directions to catch something. This cannot be the way inspectors operate.

Moreover, I believe the time has come for inspections to stop operating based on surprise, as if we are catching saboteurs or enemies within the business community. Businesses should be notified, the thematic inspection program should be presented to them, and then the inspection should be carried out. Our goal is not to catch them making mistakes; our goal is to help them self-correct even when they are in the wrong. This is how it works throughout Europe, and this is how it should work here.

Another responsibility of the General Chief Inspector and the General Inspectorate is to rationalize visits to business premises. A business cannot be expected to spend unlimited time dealing with all kinds of inspections knocking on its door. The purpose of this reform is precisely to address this, to ensure that everyone is subject to control by all relevant authorities, but not to be assaulted by endless inspections. The way inspections are carried out must be rationalized, as must the time and energy demanded by businesses.

Of course, a new recruitment and career system is essential. We have spent over thirty years in this process. Now we are in a position where we can say that, just as we have done with Customs, where there is a very consolidated stability, despite existing problems, and just as we are doing with the civil service, where stability is also consolidated and entry is impossible without proper competitions and probation periods, inspectors must be treated the same way. At the same time, this requires certification, mandatory training, a unified ethical standard, and a credible recruitment and career system.

Another very important issue is the catastrophic number of inspections we conduct. The number is extremely high, whereas the system should be based on inspections that collectively create the deterrent effect that protects the vineyard, in the positive sense of the term. Where examples are made, and they should serve as examples. One case should speak for many others: if you violate the rules here, this is the consequence. Not endless inspections, which achieve nothing except creating tension, stress, and chaos.

Another crucial point is harmonization with the tax authorities. This is extremely important, because tax authorities have their own processes, but these processes must not overlap or be duplicated by others. There must be clear logic of rationalization.

Digitalization, there is enormous potential here to elevate the entire inspection system to another level, to increase credibility, and to genuinely support businesses. Businesses suffer from unfair competition. They face situations where they need the state and need an inspection body to intervene, and they must be given this opportunity.

But to make this possible, there must be a complaint channel, and complaint handling must be credible and conducted with integrity. Not a system where a complaint is submitted by someone and immediately sent to the person being complained about, instead of assigning an inspector to investigate and uphold the law.

We believe that the reform is the right one, that the legislation is the right one, that the authority given to the General Inspector and the opportunity for the system to stabilize and consolidate are appropriate. Now what is needed is implementation. Implementation, and the key here is coordination. Coordination is a major problem, and it must be addressed collectively, by working in harmony with the General Inspector and by aligning efforts with the other systems we have, including the co-governance system that collects complaints, which must be properly channeled.

A dual monitoring mechanism to see where complaints go and how they are addressed is extremely important. I have great confidence that together we will do this work properly and give businesses a new breathing space in their relationship with inspections, ensuring fair competition and closing their doors to unfair practices. In this, inspections are key.

That is all from me.

May you carry this responsibility in good health. Roles have changed.

Prime Minister Edi Rama:

Thank you very much. I would like to add a component that I believe will be valuable in this second phase of the reform: cooperation with universities. We have already had a positive initial experience with the Agricultural University in testing all AKU (National Food Authority) inspectors, and I believe it will be very important to go forward that, from the position of General Chief Inspector, agreements are concluded with universities to ensure professionalization by field. Someone who has studied agronomy should not inspect a field that is not theirs, and vice versa.

Establishing an annual calendar of training and certification, accompanied by a system of financial bonuses to reward the best performers, would be a strong incentive and an important guarantee. It would also serve as a mechanism to assess the quality of human resources within the inspectorates and to structure individual careers.

For me, it is fundamental that recruitment at all levels, especially for inspectors, be fully guaranteed for everyone, regardless of political affiliation, regional background, or social status. This is essential if we are serious about meeting the standards required for EU membership.

From your ranks here, specifically from National Food Authority (Albania). and the two or three other inspectorates that will join to create synergy, depends one of the core components of accession: food safety. History shows us that all countries have struggled significantly with this issue. Bulgaria’s process was suspended for a long time due to food safety. Croatia carried out a monumental effort to meet food safety standards.

So, this is not only about inspection, but inspection is crucial. I believe the path is clear.