As part of his visit to Berat, Prime Minister Edi Rama held a discussion today with the city’s pensioners, focusing on the country’s economic growth and the benefits it has brought to this group.

The Prime Minister emphasised that pension increases are directly linked to strengthening the economy and consolidating the social insurance scheme. He underlined that only through economic growth and increased state revenues has it been possible to design a sustainable financial plan for the progressive rise of pensions. He noted that the new scheme provides for guaranteed annual increases in the state budget, ensuring that every increase achieved is followed by an even larger one in subsequent years, an important step toward gradually improving pensioners’ incomes.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the additional support the government has provided through bonuses, granted at specific times and added on top of pensions. These complement the policy of gradual income growth and the strengthening of the pension system. According to him, this mechanism has been consistently used to increase direct support for pensioners, alongside structural improvements in the social insurance system and the steady rise in pensions.

Prime Minister Edi Rama:

Thank you very much. I am truly pleased that we have the opportunity to have this simple conversation together. First of all, I must say I am genuinely glad that I have remained in this position long enough for it finally to become possible to establish a financial plan, backed by the state budget, for a real leap in pensions, from the insufficiency they once were to a reasonable level. Not sufficient, but reasonable.

I say this because, from the very beginning, pensioners have been a priority for me and for us. But increasing pensions has always been the most difficult task, and it remains so, because pensions operate through a social insurance scheme. If that scheme is not solid, if instead of being solid it is a massive hole like the one we inherited, then it becomes extremely difficult to imagine a meaningful increase in pensions without risking the very foundations of the economy.

That is why, as you well know, I have consistently said that it is a priority, but we must grow the economy first. We must expand our capacities before we can properly address this priority; it is impossible.

Often, people would say that MPs’ salaries are being increased or that wages are going up. But MPs are only 140 people. Even if we abolished Parliament altogether, God forbid, and redistributed those salaries to pensioners, it would be a drop in the ocean. Likewise, increases in other wages should always be welcomed by pensioners, because every wage increase brings higher social contributions, and those contributions go toward their pensions.

Still, it was clear how stressful this lack of capacity was. Then came the moment when we clearly saw the opportunity. We saw it because we first went through a phase of closing countless holes of debt and irresponsibility. Then we began serious investments. Despite facing an earthquake, a pandemic, and even the energy price consequences of a war that had nothing to do with us, we managed to achieve something I say with great pride. We are the only country that has not raised but has actually lowered the price of electricity. And now, we can finally come before you without the discomfort of having nothing to say about pensions.

Because the increase scheme, through the mechanism mentioned by the minister, with each year’s increase doubling the previous year’s, is one hundred percent guaranteed in the budget. So everyone should know that what you received this January will double next January, triple in January 2028, quadruple in January 2029, and quintuple in January 2030.

Of course, it is unfortunate, but it must be said that you are the last generation of pen and paper. The next generations are of eyes and ears. But when it comes to pen and paper, you know how to calculate.

Observe this. Those who speak most about you on television are often those who contribute the least from their own salaries, because much of it is taken informally, avoiding contributions. They show no real respect or compassion for you. They simply want to use you against the government. But that mission is impossible.

They are also upset when I say that Albania has never had a clearer position against corruption than it does today and that corruption is lower than ever before. These are facts. You cannot have more corruption and at the same time more economic growth. Corruption feeds off what it takes from the state. You cannot have more corruption and higher revenues, more transparent tenders, more winners, higher wages, and more tax income. Just one construction project in Tirana pays fourteen million euros in taxes. How is that possible with more corruption? Today, over a thousand services are accessed digitally without meeting anyone or paying bribes. I am not saying corruption does not exist, but it is significantly lower than before.

This is also confirmed by the European Union, which speaks with facts, not words. Albania ranks first in the region in public procurement standards, even ahead of some European Union countries in terms of integrity. We are not Germany, of course, but we are clearly on the right path.

You heard the European Union ambassador say there is no blockage in Albania’s integration process. Negotiations are a process and no one ever said this phase would end in March. If we complete it in April or May, it will already be a major success.

What matters now is fulfilling this national mission of joining the European Union. This requires awareness that it is not about who governs, but about the country as a whole.

Finally, Berat itself is becoming a symbol of return, a place where more people are coming back than leaving. This is because anyone with a house or land here can succeed, often earning more than working abroad when all costs are considered.

With zero taxes for small businesses up to one hundred forty thousand euros in turnover, and with tourism growing, opportunities are real.

Today I saw the new school called 22 Tetori, something many people had long requested, but we previously lacked the means to build. Once, reaching Berat itself was difficult due to poor roads.

This new school is not just a school. It is an experience. It will showcase local crafts and products, including stonework, woodwork, textiles, and olive oil production, integrated into a modern educational environment. Alongside it is a large, functional, digital parking facility that addresses the city’s traffic challenges.

We are now beginning to reap the fruits of all this work. We must move forward with determination and without being distracted by the daily noise and misinformation that surrounds us.