Skopje, 6 March 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Public Administration Goran Minchev participated in a panel discussion on "Local Government Reform in the conext of EU Integration Processes" as part of the Synergy Conference organized by the Western Balkans Fund in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy to Albania and the International Visegrad Fund. The event, taking place in Tirana, focused on reforms to promote local self-government and improve the efficiency of public administration, the Ministry of Public Administration said in a press release. 

In his address, Minchev underscored that strengthening local governance is a key priority for the Government because, he noted, a professional, efficient and autonomous local administration means better public services for citizens and greater trust in institutions.

He pointed out that in the first months of his term in office, the Government has taken concrete steps to improve the management of local governments, including the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Association of Local Self-Government Units (ZELS), which for the first time has given municipalities a direct role in creating legal solutions for public administration.

Minister Minchev also noted that the Government has allocated EUR 245 million in support to municipalities, as funds that will be used to improve administrative and public infrastructure, including modernization of municipal administrative capacities, digitalization of local services for faster and more transparent procedures, construction and reconstruction of schools, preschools, sports halls, as well as improvement of water supply and sewage systems.

"This is the largest investment in local government in the history of our country, which will directly strengthen the efficiency of local administration and improve services for citizens," he said. 

Commenting on the challenges in improving public administration, including at the local level, Minister Minchev pointed to the reforms that the Government is undertaking to strengthen capacities and transparency in local governance, as legislative reform - amending the Law on Administrative Officers and the Law on Public Sector Employees, in order to provide clear criteria for employment, promotion and accountability in local administration, strengthening human resources - introducing specialized ongoing training for administrative officers through the Public Administration Training Academy, which, he noted, will improve their skills and capacities for quality management of municipalities, as well as increased transparency and accountability - strengthening oversight and audit mechanisms, in order to better control the spending of public funds and reduce the risk of abuse in local administration.

The Ministry of Public Administration, adds the press release, remains committed to implementing these reforms, which will ensure a modern, efficient and transparent public administration, in the service of citizens.

Photo: Ministry of Public Administration