At the second plenary session of the Open Dialogue Platform, participants reviewed progress, remaining challenges, and future priorities in European integration. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption, Adea Pirdeni, stressed the need to continue the process through transparent and inclusive dialogue.

Pirdeni explained that it is too early for a final assessment. Indeed, much work remains to advance the European agenda.

“Now is not the time for a final evaluation because we still have significant work ahead. Although the government and public institutions carry a key responsibility, the process requires all social actors to participate. Therefore, this dialogue platform must continue to grow and mature on a solid foundation.”

The minister highlighted that public institutions and their representatives have actively contributed to creating a climate of dialogue. In particular, they played a central role in advancing media freedom and freedom of expression in Albania.

“Discussing transparency in media ownership, media market regulation, freedom of expression, and journalists’ safety is challenging. Moreover, these issues are complex and have deep roots. As a result, regulators will now give them stronger attention,” she said.

Pirdeni emphasized that media reform goes beyond freedom of expression. In addition, the government must align Albanian laws with European standards.

“Media reform does not concern only freedom of expression. Instead, it also involves applying European rules in Albania,” she added.

Pirdeni recalled several key achievements from 2025:

• Amendments to the Penal Code decriminalized defamation.

• Furthermore, these amendments strengthened protections for journalists when their lives face threats.

• Authorities planned changes to the Law on Audiovisual Media to increase transparency in media ownership, following expert recommendations.

Albania has a shared agenda with key stakeholders for 2026. Specifically, the goal is to align national legislation with the European Media Freedom Act and media market transparency standards.

“By December, Albania must approve these legal changes. Parliament leads this initiative. Moreover, platform participants will actively contribute by collaborating with lawmakers,” Pirdeni stated.