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| Meeting of the Socialist Party of Albania on September 4, Prime Minister Edi Rama's speech highlighting the changes |
Prime Minister Edi Rama presented changes to the government cabinet during the National Assembly of the Socialist Party on Monday. These changes affected 6 ministers, and the Ministry for Standards and Services has been merged while the Ministry of Local Government has been added, which will be led by Arbian Mazniku.
Minister of Finance and Economy:
Mete has previously served as the CEO of the Financial Supervisory Authority. Before that, he held the position of Chairman of the Authority's Board since September 2019.
During his tenure at the institution overseeing insurance markets, investment funds, and voluntary private pensions, key financial market laws were enacted in alignment with European Directives.
Mete is the chief negotiator for Chapter 9 "Financial Services" in Albania's negotiations with the European Union.
With a Master's degree from Harvard University in the USA, specializing in corporate law, and from the London School of Economics (LSE) in fiscal law, Mr. Mete previously served as Deputy Minister of Finance and Deputy Minister of Economy from 2013 to 2017.
In these roles, he was responsible for fiscal policy and economic development. During this period, Mr. Mete was involved in the reform of public finance management and the modernization of the fiscal and financial legal framework.
He held the position of National Coordinator for the "Economic Reform Program with the European Union" and led the high-level group between the Government and the Bank of Albania for reducing non-performing loans in the banking system.
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs: Igli Hasani
Igli Hasani is currently the Coordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities at the OSCE.
Before joining the OSCE, Hasani served as the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania to the OSCE and other international organizations in Vienna. In January 2021, he assumed the role of Chairperson of the Asian Partners Group for Cooperation.
During Albania's chairmanship of the OSCE, Hasani was the Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council and Chairperson of the Mediterranean Contact Group as part of the OSCE Troika in 2019.
Hasani has 17 years of experience in various leadership roles in the Ministry of Defense of Albania, including as Secretary General (2017-2018), Director General for Defense Policy (2015-2017), Director of NATO and External Relations (2013-2014), and Director of Euro-Atlantic Integration (2013-2014).
He holds degrees in Law, Sociology, and Philosophy from the University of Tirana, a Master's degree in International Relations from King's College in London, and has graduated from the Royal College of Defense Studies.
Minister of Education and Sports: Ogerta Manastirliu
Ogerta Manastirliu has been appointed to replace Evis Kushi, who has moved to the position of Secretary for Women.
Manastirliu previously served as the Minister of Health.
Minister of Agriculture: Anila Denaj
Anila Denaj has been proposed for the position of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, replacing Minister Frida Krifca. Denaj previously held the position of Minister of Finance and Economy.
Minister of Health and Social Protection: Albana Koçiu
Albana Koçiu is the new Minister of Health and Social Protection, as proposed by Prime Minister Edi Rama during the Socialist Party Assembly. Koçiu replaces Ogerta Manastirliu, who has led this ministry since 2017.
Albana Koçiu currently serves as the Director of the Public Administration Department since 2013.
Koçiu completed her studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Tirana and took on the role of Director of the Public Administration Department after 18 years of experience in various managerial positions in central and local administration, with a particular focus on human resource management. She has also undertaken various professional courses and training on leadership, human resource management, effective recruitment in the civil service, and analysis of training needs in the public administration.
As Director of the Public Administration Department, Ms. Koçiu leads the technical process of Public Administration Reform, one of the country's priorities towards European integration.
Minister of State for Entrepreneurship: Delina Ibrahimaj
Ibrahimaj, who was previously the Minister of Finance, has now been appointed to the position previously held by Edona Bilali, Minister without Portfolio for Entrepreneurship, a position she took on in 2021.
Minister of State for Local Government: Arbian Mazniku
Arbian Mazniku is the new Minister for State and Local Government, a ministry created today. Arbjan Mazniku has been the Deputy Mayor of Tirana since September 2015.
Previously, he served as Deputy Minister of Education and Sports for a two-year period. Before taking on these roles, Arbjani was the Executive Director of AGENDA Institute, an organization in Tirana that conducts research and policy analysis in Albania, particularly in the areas of governance, European integration, and economic and social development.
In January 2008, Mazniku worked for MJAFT, the most successful civil movement, which inspired youth activism and engagement in various political and social issues.
From 2005 to 2007, Arbjan Mazniku was the Director of Internal Policies at MJAFT, and from 2003 to 2005, he served as the Director of Communication at MJAFT.
Before getting involved in MJAFT, Arbjani led the International Debate Association in Albania for 3 years, coordinating debate programs for high schools and universities.