On this Thursday, Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku hosted at the Albanian Parliament 23 representatives of the community of young leaders of the World Economic Forum (WEF), with whom she held an open meeting on the challenges and development perspective of Albania.
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The meeting was attended by company leaders, academics, independent professionals, and representatives from various fields.
The discussion focused on Albania’s path towards the European Union, the economic and political situation, the investment climate, and the impact of technology on the country’s future.
Tabaku emphasized that her criticisms of governance stem from a belief in Albania and its potential.
“You will never hear me speak ill of Albania. I firmly believe in my country and the opportunities it offers. But the system that governs today is rotten and must be changed, so that cooperation with partner countries and the opportunities you represent truly serve Albania and Albanians,” she said.
According to Tabaku, Albania has great human, economic, and natural potential, which remains untapped due to a governing model that favors a minority.
“A governance built for the interests of the minority cannot offer either competitive capitalism or the functional democracy that Albanians demand. Albania needs an economy for the majority, where opportunities depend not on connections with power, but on work, ability, and competition,” Tabaku stated.
Asked about the opposition’s economic vision, the DP MP said the country must break away from the model that concentrates wealth and opportunities in the hands of a few.
“The path to a better Albania goes through dismantling the economic system that is suffocating competition, entrepreneurship, and hope. We must build an economy that produces well-being for the majority, not privileges for a handful of people,” she emphasized.
An important part of the conversation was dedicated to money laundering and its impact on the economy. Tabaku warned that capital of dubious origin is distorting the market and driving away serious investors.
“Dirty money is contaminating the Albanian economy. The fact that this issue is now widely discussed even abroad is significant and simultaneously worrying. It distorts competition, damages entire sectors, and hinders serious businesses from investing in Albania,” Tabaku said.
She also criticized the approval of laws that, according to her, serve special interests, singling out the law on strategic investments.
“Tailor-made laws damage both democracy and the incomes of Albanians. The law on strategic investments is an example of how an instrument meant to attract capital and development was used for political and economic favors. Albania needs serious foreign investments, especially in technology and advanced sectors, not projects that enrich government clients,” Tabaku declared.
Speaking about artificial intelligence, she said Albania should view technology as an opportunity for development and not as an instrument of control.
“Albania has potential in the field of artificial intelligence, but technology should be used to empower citizens and the economy, not to control them. When vital and traditional sectors are struggling, it becomes much harder to build an economy that keeps pace with the technological revolution,” she said.
Regarding foreign policy and European integration, Tabaku stressed that the opposition unreservedly supports Albania’s Euro-Atlantic orientation.
“Our national objective is Europe and membership in the European Union. We have the enthusiasm and readiness to push forward the reforms. Unfortunately, corruption and the lack of political will are often used by the majority to justify the delays,” said the chair of the Committee on Human Rights and Public Information Media.
She added that one of the points where the opposition has held a different stance from the government is the “Open Balkan” initiative, reiterating that the only strategic path for Albania remains full integration into the European Union.
The representatives of the World Economic Forum are in Albania for a multi-day visit, during which they are holding meetings with representatives from both sides of politics. Earlier, they also met with members of the government and the parliamentary majority.
