Together with the Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption, the Council of Europe participated in the roundtable of consultation on the draft Law on Lobbying, which brought together institutional representatives, civil society organisations, partners and experts in Tirana.

As  novelty in Albania, this draft law represents an important milestone towards a more transparent and accountable decision-making process that preserves the public interest and strengthens public trust in institutions.

During the event, participants were presented with some of the main elements and considerations deriving from the two Council of Europe expert reviews of the draft law. Through the provision of guidance and best practices from EU member states, the Council of Europe`s expertise contributed to strengthening the law’s alignment with international standards.

Participants engaged in a constructive debate and exchange on the essential aspects of the draft legislation, both in principle and through technical discussions on specific articles. The discussion highlighted the value of inclusive consultation and strong inter-institutional coordination as key conditions for effective implementation. The need for clear, coherent, and implementable legislation that reflects stakeholders’ concerns was also underlined.

Looking ahead, the authorities aim to finalise and approve the law by the end of the year. Following its adoption, the project will support the establishment of the first digital lobbying register in Albania, which will be a key tool for a more transparent, accountable, and integrity-based governance.

This activity is organised within the framework of the project “Enhancing Public Sector Resilience Against Corruption”, co-funded by the Council of Europe and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by the Council of Europe.