The establishment and implementation of European Union standards on food safety constitutes an essential step for protecting citizens’ health and for advancing Albania’s integration process into the European family. Meeting the EU’s requirements in this area is no longer a long-term objective, but an immediate and non-negotiable priority.

In this context, Prime Minister Rama held an expanded meeting today with food business operators, where the challenges and opportunities brought by the process of alignment with European standards were discussed. The Prime Minister underlined the need to harmonize the legal framework with the European one, as well as to modernize the veterinary system and the laboratory network, placing particular emphasis on the fundamental role of implementation in practice.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama: Thank you very much.

This meeting, this gathering, has a particular importance in a process which is part of the processes our country is carrying forward within the framework of the negotiations and the objective of joining the European Union within this decade. Why does this process have a particular importance? Because it is connected to the most difficult and most complex challenge of all the accession processes: the challenge of food safety.

Before I say a few things about this, I want to repeat something, because I think that in this aspect, more than in others, the major importance for us, for our country, for our society, for the future of our children, of the process of joining the European Union becomes more visible. Many people confuse it or misunderstand it as a process connected with tasks that we must fulfil for the sake of others. Tasks we must fulfil because Brussels asks for them, Berlin asks for them, Paris, Rome and so on.

In fact, this process relates to an irreplaceable body of knowledge that we must import from the European Union into Albania to build the European state of Albanians. A body of knowledge that we will import in every direction to guarantee standards which are the standards of the European Union, but which here in our country serve the health, development, and interests of every Albanian family. And in food safety this is very concrete. I say it clearly: without the European Union, without all this body of knowledge that comes through this process, through all the steps foreseen along the negotiation path, through all the measures suggested for Albania to undertake, through the reforms required for joining the European family, it would otherwise be impossible for us to reach those safety standards, those standards and guarantees for the development and prosperity of our country. Because when we talk about food safety, we are talking about something that we cannot negotiate, cannot relativize,/ and not only that, but something we cannot achieve if we do not possess the knowledge to build the entire institutional structure of policymaking, implementation, and inspection, the absence of which creates serious problems that ultimately affect the health and well-being of our people.

Therefore, European standards, which are a challenge to win and difficult peaks to reach, are not chains on our feet, but wings that make the climb easier. And we must keep in mind that when we speak about moving towards Europe, we are speaking about Albania becoming Europe. We are not speaking about a journey outside the country, but about a complete renewal of the country and the fulfilment of a historic state-building process based on European standards.

We have, of course, the obligation to harmonize Albania’s legal framework with that of the European Union in all directions, including this one. But beyond harmonization, we need the modernization of the veterinary system. We need the modernization of the network of laboratories. These are not even tasks in a strict sense, but unavoidable and indispensable choices for our future. And in the end, no matter how well written a law is, it does not do the work. The work is done by the people who implement it. By the people who must fight informality in the food chain, a serious problem we face every day. This is not simply an economic issue or a matter of food quality, but part of the fight for the rule of law, for consumer rights, and for the rights of every farmer or entrepreneur in a market where fair competition must be ensured and merit must always prevail.

That is why we have given particular attention at this stage to implementing the new law on inspectorates. I want to commend the Chief Inspector for his commitment, and Blerina, who has laid the foundations for raising the National Food Authority to the level required by this major challenge. I also greet all those involved in this process within the inspectorate system, for whom the tasks are very clear, and above all who carry two important responsibilities: on the one hand, the continuous development of their knowledge and training in relation to their duties and civic responsibility; and on the other hand, building a culture and practice of official risk-based controls, harmonized and monitored from the center, in order to put an end once and for all to the old and ugly tradition of surprise inspections initiated by inspectors themselves, which are a real disgrace.

At the same time, we have today a Food and Veterinary Safety Institute that needs support, increased capacity, and an expanded role. Meanwhile, the European Union stands ready to support us through twinning, a highly effective system used by EU countries, not simply to share time formally, but to transfer the experience and knowledge of a first-class institution to its counterpart here in Albania.

To my knowledge, discussions are ongoing in this direction, and soon we will have both a twinning arrangement for the National Food Authority and for the Food and Veterinary Safety Institute.

Now let us turn to the problems, because the fundamental reason we are here is how to inform businesses on time, openly, without embellishing reality, and in detail about what lies ahead.

What lies ahead for businesses in this accession process is a double-edged sword. On one side, as Majlinda said, a new horizon of opportunities for those who are prepared; on the other, a cliff of bankruptcy for those who are not. That is the reality.

When it comes to food safety, especially the sensitive area of animal products and their by-products, we must make it clear to everyone involved, even those who have invested in a small dairy facility, that tomorrow will be fatal if today they do not understand where they stand in relation to standards and what they must do to be ready.

For this reason, we are negotiating with the European Commission for extensions beyond accession deadlines for full compliance with standards. Even if we manage to negotiate, say, an additional five years, meaning from now until 2035 if we join in 2030, this is still a very short time to prepare. The European Commission has already sent experts who have assessed production, collection points, and activities related to animal products and their by-products, leaving several tasks. Through the inspectorate, we will need to engage with around 900 entities across Albania, all of which face a clear risk in their current condition. Some may meet standards with minor improvements; most will need more work. The risk is closure or exclusion from the market on the very day of accession. This requires awareness first, then detailed information so each business understands exactly what must be done and how the state will support them.

Another issue is slaughterhouses. We have made progress compared to the past;

Many will remember when animals were slaughtered on pavements and blood flowed in the streets. Once we join, we are no longer just a 28,000 km² market. What is produced in Albania is considered produced in the European Union. If it does not meet standards, it cannot be sold even here.

The most serious issue for slaughterhouses is the separation and treatment of waste not intended for consumption, according to EU standards, to prevent contamination and environmental risks. No slaughterhouse currently meets this requirement fully. It must be done. It is not complicated, but it is essential for survival.

We are working on legislation for animal by-products not intended for consumption, classification of waste by risk, investment support, and full traceability from generation to disposal.

The dairy sector is another area that would not survive today under EU standards. The entire chain must comply, not just isolated parts. Some facilities have modern machinery, but the chain remains incomplete. The whole system must be brought up to standard.

I am not worried about the time we have. It is sufficient. I am not worried about the abilities of those who have invested. I am only concerned about negligence, the mentality of “there is time.” That will not work.   We must start now with a clear step-by-step plan and full understanding of requirements. This is not a separate exercise. The state will not just send inspectors. Inspections will not be punitive but supportive joint efforts to inform, guide, and ensure compliance.  At the same time, we must build a stable control system that protects the public interest and supports businesses that aim to meet standards. Laboratory capacity must be strengthened, border control points improved, and digital infrastructure enhanced to facilitate interaction.

In conclusion, this is not a sudden imposition or an external directive. It is a challenge arising from the internal need of the Albanian people to become equal members of the European family. It is about the interests of the citizens: safe food, equality before the law, quality education and healthcare, a protected environment. You are not doing this because Brussels asks for it, but because our children do.

Food safety will be an absolute priority. We no longer face major public order issues as before; now the challenge is legal order and safety across the entire food market.

Our approach will be side by side with you, not against you. We share the same objective. To reach our objective we need to stay side by side with you not against you.

Thank you very much.