Arbi Mazniku

Ministër Shteti për Pushtetin Vendor

[Edi Rama @ediramaal]

To @CNN International and to all the endless media outlets, big and small, together with all the well-meaning content producers of Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and every other platform that now shapes the global conversation, I would very much wish to pass the following post:

As we speak, today’s protest has drawn roughly 2,000 participants. It is the lowest turnout so far, but even at its peak, participation never exceeded 8,000 people.

So how is it that what much of the world has seen over the past days appears so enormous, so dramatic, so overwhelming?

At some point, when the engineered digital hysteria of these days has passed and emotions have cooled, the democratic world should take a closer look at how the gap between reality and its representation became so vast.

Not merely as a matter of this particular case, but as a symptom of something much larger.

How could a tiny country become global news for reasons so disconnected from the reality on the ground?

How could a local protest involving a few thousand people be transformed into an international spectacle?

How could assumptions become facts, narratives become verdicts, and speculation become accepted truth before the basic facts were even established?

And perhaps most importantly, what does it say about our information ecosystem when perception can travel around the world faster than reality itself?

Because the reality is that there is no project yet.

There is no building permit yet.

There is no construction yet.

There is not even a final design yet.

There is only a vision and a plan: to transform Albania into the most attractive high-end tourism destination in this part of the world, while creating a net positive environmental development that, according to the current vision, would ultimately result in approximately 25% more trees and green space than exists today, alongside measurable improvements across multiple biodiversity indicators.

The ambition is not merely to build.

The ambition is to demonstrate that development and environmental enhancement can go hand in hand.

That is precisely why some of the world’s leading experts in ecology, biodiversity, landscape architecture, environmental engineering and sustainable tourism are working on these concepts and parameters.

Whether they succeed or fail is a matter for future assessment, science, public scrutiny and transparent debate.

But presenting as an environmental catastrophe something that does not yet exist, has not yet been designed, has not yet been permitted, and whose stated objective is in fact to produce positive environmental outcomes, is not a serious contribution to public discussion.

And yet, from this simple reality emerged a hurricane of digital hysteria, apocalyptic headlines, manufactured outrage and sweeping conclusions presented as established facts.

Along the way came deepfakes, manipulated images, fabricated claims, coordinated amplification, anonymous networks and online behaviour that bears many of the characteristics of the hybrid information warfare that increasingly shapes public debate across democratic societies.

Even more remarkably, social media platforms recorded an explosion in activity around this topic, with Albanian-language engagement increasing several-fold within just a few days. A significant part of this sudden surge appears to have been driven not by an organic expansion of public participation, but by the rapid proliferation of newly created profiles, anonymous accounts and pages with little or no identifiable history, raising legitimate questions about artificial amplification and the manufacturing of digital momentum.

[Edi Rama @ediramaal]

But perhaps the most revealing detail is also the simplest one.

A remarkable number of reports do not even distinguish between an island and a private piece of land on the mainland.

The protest itself concerns the latter.

Not the former.

In fact, there is currently no significant public controversy in Albania regarding the island itself.

Yet countless articles, posts and commentaries merge the two into a single narrative, creating confusion where precision should exist and emotion where facts should prevail.

Disagreement is legitimate.

Criticism is legitimate.

Questions are legitimate.

Environmental concerns are legitimate.

Public scrutiny is legitimate.

What is not legitimate is replacing facts with assumptions, assumptions with certainties and certainties with collective outrage.

What is not legitimate is treating allegations as facts, speculation as evidence and fears as conclusions.

And when highly respected media outlets stop making basic distinctions, when they no longer separate what exists from what does not, what is proposed from what is approved, what is being debated from what is merely imagined, they do not simply misinform.

They contribute to the erosion of reality itself.

And that should concern every democracy.

Because this is how trust in institutions is gradually destroyed.

This is how trust in mainstream politics is corroded.

This is how the ground is prepared for demagogues, charlatans and professional merchants of outrage.

This is how calls for the destruction of political opponents become normalised.

This is how cries of “traitors”, “enemies of the people” and even demands for death and vengeance become amplified and legitimised.

This is how the old ghosts of fanaticism return wearing new digital clothes.

This is how fascism reinvents itself for the age of algorithms.

Albania will survive this.

We will continue our journey.

We will continue transforming our country into a shining destination for high-end tourism, a stronger democracy and a proud member of the European family.

But this story should matter far beyond Albania.

Because others may see in it a glimpse of what is coming.

We live in a time when democratic societies are investing billions to shield themselves from long-range missiles, drones and external threats.

And that is wise.

But shielding our countries from missiles will mean very little if we fail to shield the souls of our countries and the minds of our young people from the industrial-scale manipulation, hatred and lies that arrive every day from a distance far shorter than any missile can travel:

The distance between a smartphone screen and a human mind.

Because if we lose that battle, we may eventually discover that we have protected our land borders while allowing the foundations of our democratic societies to collapse from within.

And then there may be very little left worth protecting at all.

[Ricardo Hausmann @ricardo_hausman]

It was a real honor to receive a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of Tirana in Albania. It was an even greater honor to have Prime Minister Edi Rama deliver the Laudatio speech. His words left me speechless. https://t.co/a82j7NJPVY

[Edi Rama @ediramaal]

Përshëndes deklaratat e ambasadave të Mbretërisë së Bashkuar dhe Gjermanisë, me parimet e shprehura në të cilat jemi të gjithë shumë dakord, 100%.

Por duke qenë se që të dyja dolën sot, kur Kuvendi me plot të drejtë refuzoi heqjen e lirisë së një deputeteje në mungesë të plotë të kushteve për ta ndërmarrë një hap të tillë ekstrem dhe, njëkohësisht, duke qenë se Shoqata e Molotovarëve të Tiranës ka filluar të flasë edhe në emër të Gjermanisë, përfitoj nga rasti të theksoj:

• Kjo shumicë qeverisëse e ka mendjen të ndarë dhe busullën të palëvizshme: Shqipëria 2030 në Bashkimin Europian🇦🇱🦅🇪🇺

• Reforma në Drejtësi nuk kthehet mbrapa, pavarësia e gjyqësorit nuk preket dhe mbështetja për SPAK-un mbetet e palëkundur.

• Lufta reale kundër korrupsionit vazhdon, më këmbëngulëse se kurrë, siç e tregon qartë edhe pasqyra objektive e përditësuar e Komisionit Europian.

• Belinda Balluku nuk akuzohet për korrupsion dhe hetimi i çështjes duhet të vazhdojë, i patrazuar as nga pengimi as nga yshtja e SPAK-ut, prej faktorësh jashtë kufijve të pushtetit të pavarur gjyqësor.

• Shumica qeverisëse, bëri sot pa asnjë diskutim atë që do të bënte çdo parlament demokratik i Europës, ku kalimi i kërkesave të prokurorisë jo për arrestin pa gjyq të një deputeti si kjo kërkesa e sotme, po për të filluar apo jo hetimet, nuk është askund si kalimi pa asnjë lloj kontrolli i kufijve në zonën Shengen. Ai është një proces serioz, i bazuar në norma kushtetuese e ligjore, të cilat nuk janë as karta bianka, as dyer të mbyllura për prokurorinë.

Sot ne i kemi respektuar plotësisht ato norma dhe kush pretendon të kundërtën, ka të drejtën e vet të padiskutueshme, po s’ka argumenta të mjaftueshëm për ta fituar debatin mbi ekzistencën ose jo të kufirit mes pushteteve të pavarur kushtetues, të cilin parlamenti i Shqipërisë e mbylli sot duke treguar se dinjiteti i parlamentarëve nuk është material për eksperimente socio-politike, të cilat e bëjnë kurën më të rrezikshme se sa sëmundja që duhet të luftojë!

Ecim përpara, Shqipëria nuk ka plan B🇦🇱❤️🇪🇺

[EU in Albania @EUinAlbania]

Constructive meeting today with the co-chairs Arbjan Mazniku and Luçiano Boçi of the Ad-Hoc Territorial & Administrative Reform Committee at the Albanian Parliament. 🇪🇺🇦🇱

EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato underlined the importance of an inclusive and fully transparent reform, built on solid data and broad-based consensus. The speed of reforms cannot come at the expense of quality and increased efficiency cannot come at the expense of local democracy.

At the same time, it is important to match functions with adequate funding, so that local authorities can have real autonomy in decision-making, backed by the necessary capacities.

It remains essential to ensure the reform delivers improved services for citizens and is aligned with European standards.

[Arbi Mazniku @Arbjan]

RT @ediramaal: 3 konkluzione nga mbledhja e Grupit Parlamentar pas mosvendimit të Gjykatës Kushtetuese dhe rivendosjes së pezullimit të min…

[Edi Rama @ediramaal]

It is becoming an unfortunate pattern of this new era of rampant intellectual laziness toward listening to what others actually say to be confronted with statements such as the one attached, which reflect a deeply distorted understanding of my position regarding the Albanian Public Broadcaster.

I invite the authors of this misleading statement to read or listen carefully to my speech and to make a genuine effort to understand the point. My remarks have absolutely nothing to do with “linking the funding or the existence of RTSH to political approval”. Any such interpretation is simply incorrect and misleading.

Protecting information begins with not spreading disinformation.

Protecting information begins with not spreading disinformation.

[Edi Rama @ediramaal]

Quite disappointing to hear the UK Home Secretary, @ShabanaMahmood, cite “around 700 Albanian families” living in taxpayer-funded accommodation after failed asylum claims as justification for resuming family returns.

How can a Labour Home Secretary so poorly echo the rhetoric of the populist far-right - and single out 700 Albanian families, a statistical drop in the ocean of post-Brexit Britain’s challenges - precisely at a moment when the UK and Albania have built one of Europe’s most successful partnerships on illegal migration?

Let me remind the Home Secretary that, thanks to intensive joint work since late 2022, irregular arrivals from Albania to the UK have almost disappeared. Migration control has worked. Meanwhile, mobility and visa restrictions on the UK side remain a Braverman-era relic of failure, harming both the fundamental freedom of movement of people and the British economy itself.

Let us also be clear: Albanians are net contributors to the British economy, and the number of Albanians receiving UK benefits is very low relative to other communities. To single them out again and again is not policy - it is a troubling and indecent exercise in demagoguery.

Albania is, and intends to remain, one of the UK’s most active allies in broader migration control across the Balkans. The UK should be seeking ways to deepen cooperation with Albania on all security issues - from defence to border protection - rather than repeatedly scapegoating Albanians and thereby exposing citizens of an allied nation to increased risks, including from extremist groups that thrive on such narratives.

Official policy should never be driven by ethnic stereotyping. That is the very least humanity expects from the great Great Britain.

[Arbi Mazniku @Arbjan]

RT @ediramaal: Disa rrjedhime logjike nga vendimi i Gjykatës Kushtetuese:

1. Ja që edhe njëherë u provua se nuk i paskam kapur unë të tër…

[Ambassadrice Catherine Suard @CatherineSuard]

Great pleasure to meet Ervin Demo Minister of State for Local Governance.
Fruitful discussions about the 🇫🇷 project to support 🇦🇱 #LocalAuthorities by leveraging #OpenData thanks to @SpallianFr ‘s expertise. #transparency #accountability
An asset for the #europeanintegration 🇪🇺

[Ambassadrice Catherine Suard @CatherineSuard]

🇫🇷🤝🇦🇱
✍️ MoU for implementation of the project “#OpenData in Support of #LocalGovernance & #PublicTransparency in 🇦🇱” funded by @France_Albanie.
🙏 #Innovation & #Expertise🇫🇷 from @SpallianFr @RenaudProuveur & teams
🙏 @Arbjan & #AMVV & teams

[Edi Rama @ediramaal]

https://t.co/WlIb8ZvFbC

Ooopsss… Mr.@Nigel_Farage himself has just challenged me on the facts!

What an honor — for a “giant man,” as he described me (meaning, of course, from a “tiny country”) — to earn the attention of Britain’s unrivaled virtuoso of headline politics.

He said — and I quote:
“I tell you what, Mr. Rama, did you know one in 50 Albanians in Britain are in prison? So show some goodwill and take them all back tomorrow, because this is hypocrisy.”

Well, Mr. Farage — let me return the challenge with something unusually boring in your line of work: actual numbers.

That “one in 50 Albanians are in prison” claim? It’s not a fact. It’s bonkers. A classic from the post-truth Brexit playbook: “If it sounds scary, it must be true.”

Guess what? When the numbers are actually run — surprise! — even if we assumed every Albanian currently in prison is guilty (and in fact, many are caught up in an outdated and restrictive visa system), the rate of criminality among Albanians in the UK would be no higher than — and likely lower than — that of the British population itself.

Now, since we both seem to cherish “goodwill” and are clearly allergic to “hypocrisy,” here’s my offer:

Let’s both bring our numbers to the table. If your “one in 50” claim holds water — I will personally commit to taking them all back. That’s not a competing headline — it’s a public pledge.

But if your scary stat turns out to be just tabloid fuel, then no apology needed. No drama. Instead, you’ll come to Albania — as my guest of honor.

You’ll get real sun, real hospitality, and even more real facts — about Albania and its fabulous people. And all I ask in return is the simplest public pledge from you, made while enjoying our country: next time someone badmouths Albanians, you’ll be the first to tell them — in your histrionic way — not to do it again.

So what do you say? One fact-check for a full deportation — or a full vacation, with some of the warmest people you’ll ever meet.

Come on, Nigel. If you lose on a fact check, you’ll still win a whole nation of friends for life.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

[Arbi Mazniku @Arbjan]

RT @ediramaal: Gjykata e Shkallës Parë Tiranë sot ka hedhur poshtë padinë time për shpifje ndaj Lulit në vitin 2018, për të cilën gjykatëse…

[World Bank Gov @wbg_gov]

📢Don't miss PLENARY 2 at the #GovTechForum!

Join us at 3.30PM ET. We will discuss how #AI is transforming public service delivery and making government operations more efficient, responsive and community focused.

👉Watch here: https://t.co/fVe2sUGQEa

[Doug Hadden @dalytics]

.@OttVelsberg: 95% of #Albania government services available digitally #GovTechForum

[World Bank Gov @wbg_gov]

To ensure #AI delivers seamless services for all, we must prioritize intermediaries—especially for seniors and remote communities. @Arbjan #GovTechForum

[Clara Chappaz @ClaraChappaz]

À Tirana avec @EmmanuelMacron dans le cadre du dialogue politique européen.
Fière de voir l’#IA au cœur du partenariat entre nos deux pays avec Eviden, Artefact et Ellipse Project.
Échanges nourris avec mon homologue albanais @BGonxhja et avec @Arbjan sur l’innovation. 🇫🇷🇦🇱

[Blendi Gonxhja @BGonxhja]

📍Në Shkodër, me Kryeministrin @ediramaal dhe Ministrin @Arbjan, prezantuam ⛰️“Paketën e Maleve”—ligjin që kthen tokat e trashëguara në pronë të ligjshme e të investueshme.

✅ 500 sipërmarrësit e parë: 0 taksa & 0 TVSH për 10 vjet!

Zhvillim ekonomik dhe kthim i diasporës! 🇦🇱🦅

[Ambassadrice Catherine Suard @CatherineSuard]

🙏 @ediramaal @BGonxhja @Arbjan @DelinaIbrahimaj @SabrinaRoubache & all stakeholders of this 🇫🇷🇦🇱 #GreenAI week. 🙏@inetum_fra
Let’s make Albania a European 🇪🇺 #GreenAIHub in collaboration with French companies and institutional support. #AIActionSummit

[Blendi Gonxhja @BGonxhja]

Të dielën, shihemi në Panairin e Parë Shqiptar të Punës në 🇬🇷Athinë, “Puno & Jeto aty ku ke Zemrën” !🇦🇱🦅❤️

Me pjesëmarrjen e @BallukuBelinda @GManastirliu @MirelaKumbaro @AnilaDenaj @Arbjan

dhe shumë aktorë të tjerë të rëndësishëm të bizneseve dhe institucioneve shqiptare,