“Energy, the most colossal challenge of this period”/ Belinda Balluku becomes deputy prime minister

Prime Minister Edi Rama entrusted the position of Deputy Prime Minister, Belinda Balluku, removing Arbe Ahmetaj from office.

“Energy as the most colossal challenge of this period and infrastructure as an uninterrupted national challenge, have today also become intensive relations with governments and international institutions. Time for the role of the Deputy Prime Minister to focus on these areas. Belinda Balluku becomes deputy prime minister”. emphasizes the prime minister in the post on Twitter.

Now that the priority of Reconstruction gives way to the priority of Negotiations with the EU, the profile of the Minister of State changes. Majlinda Dhuka, a high technical profile instead of the high diplomatic profile of Ambassador Mazi, becomes Chief Negotiator & Minister of State under the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/giUZ0HHXEt

— Edi Rama (@ediramaal) July 25, 2022

We recall that the Prime Minister announced a few days ago that the government has made a plan for citizens to have scheduled energy, which will be implemented in the event of an emergency.

“The plan of cuts has been prepared. Germany is removing hot water from schools. When Germany turns off the hot water and the entire German political system enters a race to find ideas to cut and protect, imagine other countries. We are talking about total cuts in energy supplies.

We have made this plan, but it is an emergency. People should start saving. Why should the lights be on now? The owner here does not get the well-deserved bill because if he did, he would also read the books by the neon lights of the street at dinner. This is what we have to deal with. You should also get involved. Not only when looking for double bridges, to understand that the vision is right but not the moment, but also to sensitize people. Have you seen the electricity costs in the municipality? Look at them. “We’re not saying to turn off the lights in the prime minister’s office even when there is no crisis, but the mentality of living in difficult times must be cultivated so that we can do what we can,” said Rama.

While the new chief negotiator for the European Union will also be the Minister of State, Majlinda Dhuka, a high technical profile instead of the high diplomatic profile of Ambassador Zef Mazi, according to the head of the government.

“Now that the priority of Reconstruction gives way to the priority of Negotiations with the EU, the profile of the Minister of State changes. Majlinda Dhuka, a high technical profile instead of the high diplomatic profile of Ambassador Mazi, becomes Chief Negotiator & Minister of State under the Prime Minister.

thank Arben Ahmatejn for the contribution to our mission fulfilled with a spectacular success for Reconstruction. I thank Zef Maz for the contribution to the great historical achievement of opening the negotiations; two valuable collaborators on a path of continuing challenges“, according to Rama’s post.

Who is Belinda Balluku?

Ms. Belinda Balluku is the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy since January 2019.

In the 2021 Parliamentary Elections, Mrs. Balluku was elected deputy of the District of Tirana.

Before being appointed Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, she was the General Director of ALBCONTROL, Sh.A., the National Air Navigation Agency of the Republic of Albania (2013-19).

Ms. Balluku is a graduate of the Executive Program “Economic Development” at Harvard’s Kennedy School and has an honorary degree from IATA (International Air Transport Association) for the management of air navigation services (Air Navigation Services Management).

She graduated with excellent results in the General Management Diploma, in Miami, USA. She has a law degree and in 1999 she graduated from the Athens Institute of Technology, Department of Business Administration. Ms. Balluku has a number of other qualifications in the field of aviation security, telecommunications, human resources, local government management and social leadership institutions.

Mrs. Balluku’s contributions in the field of Albanian aviation have been continuously appreciated by international partners. She has promoted the excellent cooperation with neighboring agencies and the integration of ALBCONTROL in European organizations. Mrs. Balluku also has extensive experience in the field of telecommunications, where she worked in November 2000, immediately after the privatization of the largest state-owned mobile phone company AMC, now ONE Telecommunications.

Ms. Balluku has held senior management positions, first as Director of Customer Care, where she founded the Call Center service for the first time in Albania and then as Director of Marketing. During this dynamic period for AMC, Mrs. Balluku was part of the decision-making board.

In 2004, Ms. Balluku joined the staff of the Municipality of Tirana, first as a Public Relations Advisor and then as Director of the Mayor’s Cabinet. During this period, she led the development of public and media communications strategies.

She was an active part of the creation of the reception interface and then successfully managed the coordination between the mayor and the executive directorates of the Municipality of Tirana.

Since 2006, Mrs. Balluku is a vital part of the Socialist Party. Ms. Balluku has continuously contributed to awareness and social responsibility campaigns by participating in community projects and initiatives.