In a major move to strengthen economic ties and align with European standards, the food safety authorities of Kosovo and Albania have agreed to reduce administrative barriers and facilitate the trade of food products between the two nations.
The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting on May 14, 2026, between Bekim Hoxha, Executive Director of the Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency (AUV), and Blerina Gjylameti, Director General of the National Food Authority of Albania (AKU).
Key Areas of Cooperation
The discussion focused on harmonizing protocols to ensure a seamless flow of goods while maintaining high public health standards:
- Standardized Certification: Both countries will update and align their food safety certificates according to the latest European Union models.
- RASFF Coordination: Enhanced coordination in tracing and handling notifications from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) to manage food safety risks effectively.
- Laboratory Synergy: Cooperation in increasing laboratory capacities and, crucially, the mutual recognition of analysis results, which will significantly speed up border crossings for perishable goods.
- Re-export Notifications: Mutual prior notification for products being re-exported between the two countries to ensure transparency in the supply chain.
Digitalization and Reform
Executive Director Bekim Hoxha highlighted Kosovo’s progress in modernizing its oversight:
- 90% Digitalized: The AUV has reached nearly 90% full digitalization of its services and controls, reducing human error and bureaucratic delays.
- EU Benchmarking: All reforms are being modeled after the authorities of EU member states to prepare for future integration.
Strategic Support for EU Integration
The meeting also took on a strategic diplomatic tone regarding the two countries’ paths toward the European Union:
- Kosovo’s Support for Albania: As Albania has already opened membership negotiations, Kosovo pledged to share its expertise in specific areas where its implementation of EU criteria is currently more advanced.
- Albania as a Reference Point: In return, Albania will serve as the primary reference and guide for Kosovo during its later stages of the EU accession process.
Technical Implementation
Technical teams continued discussions on the practicalities of the agreement, specifically focusing on how inspectors fill out certificates. A new requirement mandates that every single section of the documentation must be completed to ensure no data gaps during transport.
This agreement is seen as a vital step in creating a “common market” logic between Pristina and Tirana, simplifying life for businesses while ensuring that consumers on both sides of the border receive safe, high-quality products.
