Parliament passes Law on the Import, Export, and Transit of Firearms; Minister Vengu: Part of the EU negotiation process

Parliament passes Law on the Import, Export, and Transit of Firearms; Minister Vengu: Part of the EU negotiation process

Following a marathon parliamentary session, the Albanian Parliament approved the draft law "On the import, export, and transit of firearms, their essential components, and ammunition", with 84 votes in favor, 10 against, and no abstentions.

The initiative seeks to strengthen the regulatory framework governing the defence industry and to enhance state oversight of goods with dual civilian and military use.

Addressing the plenary session, Minister of Defence Pirro Vengu stated that the draft law forms part of a broader package of legislative reforms aimed at aligning Albania with European standards.

"Through the mechanisms set out in this law, we seek to safeguard the integrity of the entire chain-from production and trade to export and transit of firearms-while enhancing security, transparency, and coordination among law-enforcement institutions," Minister Vengu said.

The minister noted that the legislation is entirely new and fully transposes the relevant European Union regulation, bringing Albania in line with EU member states in a sector of vital importance to public and national security. He emphasized that the law strengthens state control mechanisms without establishing new institutions, drawing instead on the 17 years of experience of the State Authority for Export Controls.

Among the law's key innovations is the introduction of a secure, encrypted electronic licensing system, designed to improve data protection and streamline authorization procedures. The legislation also provides for closer cooperation among law-enforcement agencies and the creation of a single, inter-institutional database, enabling enhanced traceability of firearms as well as controls both before and after shipment.

Minister Vengu further underlined that the law does not entail additional costs for the state budget and will be implemented using existing institutional capacities.

"This draft law represents one of the intermediate milestones in Albania's European Union negotiation process and constitutes a tangible step toward meeting those commitments," he said, thanking the parliamentary committees that supported the initiative in a spirit of consensus.