Strengthening dialogue with financial institutions and international investors stood at the center of the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Forum. The forum took place on January 13–14, 2026, in Vienna, Austria.

Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj attended CEE Forum 2026. She took part in a panel titled: “Is Albania’s financial system ready for European Union membership?”

In a social media post, Minister Ibrahimaj said the panel addressed key topics. These included the role of the financial sector in the EU integration process, the stability and resilience of Albania’s financial system, and integration into SEPA. The discussion also covered reforms in digitalization, innovation, and the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

“CEE Forum 2026 served as an important platform to strengthen dialogue with financial institutions and international investors,” Ibrahimaj said. “It also promoted Albania’s economic priorities and reform agenda.”

The panel also included the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, and the Executive Director of the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority (AMF), Adela Xhemali.

This annual forum brings together leading figures from academia, economics, and the financial sector across Central and Eastern Europe. Participants discuss the latest economic and financial developments, with a special focus on Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

Forum topics included a return to the basics of monetary policy, interest rates, and price stability. They also discussed supply-side shocks, green finance, and the role of monetary policy. Other themes included climate risks, banking supervision, central bank independence, SEPA, financial inclusion through digital banking, and the prospects of central bank digital currencies.

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