The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania about the suspension of funding for Albanian institutions, following an executive order by President Donald Trump.
On January 24, the U.S. State Department ordered the freeze of new funding for nearly all American international aid programs as part of President Trump’s efforts to align these programs with his foreign policy objectives.
These programs are primarily implemented through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a directive to U.S. embassies worldwide, clarifying the implementation of the executive order signed by Trump on January 20, stating that “no further U.S. international assistance will be distributed in a manner that is not fully aligned with the foreign policy of the President of the United States.”
According to Trump’s executive order, existing U.S. aid programs are not in line with American interests and, in many cases, contradict American values.
Institutions Affected by the Funding Suspension
The suspension applies to the following Albanian institutions and agencies until further notice:
- Ministry of Finance, including the Financial Intelligence Agency
- Ministry of the Interior, including the Albanian State Police, Police Oversight Agency, and the Countering Violent Extremism Coordination Center
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
- Ministry of Justice, including the General Directorate of Prisons
- Ministry of Defense
- Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Education and Sports
- Ministry of Tourism and Environment
- Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
- Ministry of State for Youth and Children
- Ministry of State for Local Governance
- Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, including:
- Albanian Power Corporation (KESH)
- Transmission System Operator (OST)
- Electricity Distribution Operator (OSHEE)
- Albanian Energy Exchange (ALPEX)
- Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption
- Ministry of State for Relations with Parliament
- Parliament, including its committees
- High Judicial Council
- High Prosecutorial Council
- Constitutional Court
- Supreme Court
- All courts, including:
- Courts of Appeal
- Administrative Appeal Courts
- First Instance Courts
- Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Prosecution, including:
- Special Prosecution Office (SPAK)
- National Bureau of Investigation (BKH)
- First Instance Court for Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime
- Special Court of Appeal for Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime
- Office of the General Prosecutor
- High Inspectorate of Justice
- Independent Qualification Commission, International Monitoring Operation, and Special Appeals Chamber
- National Cybersecurity Authority (AKSK)
- National Agency for Information Society (AKSHI)
- Ministry of State and Office of the Chief Negotiator
- State Agency for Strategic Planning and Aid Coordination (SASPAC)
- All local government authorities
90-Day Suspension for Aid Review
The executive order mandates a 90-day suspension of U.S. international development aid to assess its effectiveness and alignment with U.S. foreign policy.
This order affects the disbursement of new funds for:
- Foreign governments
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- International organizations
- Contractors
The suspension will remain in place until aid program reviews are completed.
Trump’s Foreign Aid Policy Shift
President Trump and other Republican officials have pledged to reform U.S. international aid programs.
Marco Rubio’s memo justified the aid freeze, stating that it was impossible for the new administration to evaluate whether existing foreign aid commitments are non-duplicative, effective, and in alignment with President Trump’s foreign policy.
