October 3rd is a very special day for us Germans. Thirty-four years ago, it brought us reunification, laying the foundation for our continent, once divided into East and West, to grow together as a whole. In Albania, we celebrate this event every year with numerous activities throughout October. At the heart of these celebrations is the "German Culture Week," which is currently underway. You can find more information about the program on social media and our website (https://tirana.diplo.de/al-de).

The events of that time in Germany and across Europe had an impact in Albania as well, most notably during the massive onrush of Albanians in western embassies' buildings in July 1990, which directly involved the German Embassy. In fact, the turbulent period in Albania did not end immediately after the fall of the communist regime. However, in the following decades, many steps forward were made. The recent announcement that Albania will likely open its first chapter in the EU membership process this October is a testament to the country's reform efforts in recent years, and for that, I congratulate all Albanians. At the same time, this should serve as motivation to continue working toward consolidating the rule of law and fighting corruption, which are crucial not only for Albania's swift EU membership but also for enhancing the country's attractiveness as an investment hub.

The process of rapprochement with the EU has been accompanied for ten years now by the "Berlin Process," which aims to support the integration of the entire region. Closer ties between the states of the Western Balkans should not replace but rather reinforce the accession process—this is our stance. This year, on its 10th anniversary, the Berlin Process returns to its place of origin, Berlin. So far, numerous ministerial meetings have been held, and on October 14, we are expecting the Summit of the Heads of Government. From this meeting, we hope to make progress, particularly in the CEFTA Free Trade Agreement, which would bring direct economic benefits to citizens in all Western Balkan countries.

Improving living conditions for all Albanians and supporting the EU membership process is also the goal of the long-term German-Albanian cooperation for development. This cooperation is at the heart of our bilateral efforts. Since its inception in 1988, we have carried out numerous projects with a total financial volume exceeding 1.4 billion euros. As a result, Albania is one of the three countries that benefit the most from economic cooperation, calculated on a per capita basis. In the meantime, I am looking forward to the German-Albanian government talks on October 9-10 in Berlin, where the work program and funding for the next two years will be determined. In this context, we aim to continue focusing on the topics of climate and energy, education, jobs, and sustainable economic development, as well as selected areas of administrative activity and governance.

The backbone of generating economic growth remains the reliable supply of energy at fair prices for businesses and households. I would like to express my appreciation by emphasizing that Albania has one of the most climate-friendly methods of energy production in the world: nearly 100% of its electricity comes from renewable sources, particularly hydropower. Unfortunately, due to climate change, this energy production has become increasingly subject to fluctuations. Additionally, the transmission networks are aging and require significant investments in digitization. Over 60% of our support portfolio is focused on these areas, creating immediate improvements for electricity customers. Through KfW, Germany is supporting a new fund of 150 million euros, which will advance reforms that prepare Albania’s energy sector for EU membership, regional integration, diversification, and increased efficiency.

At the beginning of the year, together with Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku and EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, we inaugurated in Elbasan the construction of the first land energy route, which will connect Albania with North Macedonia. This is an excellent example of the close coordination between our bilateral development cooperation and the EU's Western Balkans Investment Fund (EUR 50.5 million from Germany, EUR 14 million from the EU). This line will not only enhance the security of the electricity supply for Albanian customers but also enable Albania to sell electricity during peak production, potentially making the country a net exporter in the region. All of this contributes to profits in the context of the country's economic development, which will also be felt by the general public.

In addition to the challenges in the EU membership process, our work within the framework of Development Cooperation is guided by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. A remarkable example from a trip to Korça comes to mind: there, a continuous supply of high-quality drinking water was established, and almost all households in the area were connected to the sewerage network—all in full compliance with relevant EU regulations and the United Nations development goals. The purification plant tanks are so clean that even flamingos occasionally stop there! Nationwide, over 1 million people have gained access to clean water supply and sewerage systems thanks to joint project efforts.

And this is just one of many examples where Germany supports sustainable development to improve living conditions for all Albanians. With joint funding from the EU and Germany, and in close cooperation with the newly established waste authority AKEM, we have begun working hard to build a nationwide recycling system. We have also made progress in establishing climate-friendly local public transport. A prime example is the bus network in Tirana, which was supported by GIZ. In the near future, it is planned to introduce more electric buses on the express lines. In the meantime, I have already signed the relevant financing contracts together with KfW and the administration of the municipality of Tirana.

To promote economic development, we support new businesses and assist Albania in the radical restructuring of vocational training, moving toward the dual system of vocational education based on the German-Swiss model. Earlier this year, through the Regional Challenge Funds under the implementation of KfW, we allocated around 5.4 million euros to equip 10 teaching workshops in vocational schools. These are pure grants and are implemented in partnership with Albanian industry. In this way, we aim to ensure that graduates' skills align with the needs of Albania’s growing economy, creating future opportunities for young people in their own country. Special focus is placed on the professional sectors of tourism, energy management, construction, and social care.

In the tourism sector, we are committed to ensuring that next year, at the world’s largest tourism fair in Berlin, ITB, Albania will take center stage, as it will be the Guest of Honor at this event. By supporting the development of agritourism and new nature-based or adventure activities, we aim to ensure that a broader segment of the population can benefit from this economic boom, while also attracting visitors who will spend more in the country on ecologically and socially sustainable offers. The sustainable protection of the environment and natural beauty is at the core of our projects.

This is especially important to me personally. Few things in Albania impress me as much as the beauty of the landscape and nature, and we are eager to contribute to its preservation. After a year in office, I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks for the unparalleled hospitality that my wife and I experience here every day. I am confident that Albania and Germany will achieve even more together, and my Embassy colleagues and I will continue to dedicate all our efforts to this goal.

*Mr. Karl Bergner is the Ambassador of Germany to Albania