Her Excellency Belinda Balluku

Mrs. Belinda Balluku is the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania since August 2022 and the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, a position she has held since January 2019.

In the national elections of 2021, Mrs. Balluku has been elected Member of the Parliament in the Region of Tirana.

Prior to her appointment as Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, she held the position of General Director of ALBCONTROL, the National Air Navigation Services Provider of Albania.

Mrs. Balluku is a graduate of the Executive Program "Economic Development" from Harvard Kennedy School, as well as an honorary degree from IATA (International Air Transport Association) for the Management of Air Navigation Services (Air Navigation Services Management).Mrs. Balluku is the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania.

Mrs. Balluku has several qualifications in the areas of Air Safety, Telecommunication, Human Resources, Local Governance Management and Social Institutions Management.

Mrs. Balluku was honored by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) with a diploma in Air Navigation Services Management (with honors). She has also successfully received the General Management Diploma (with honors) from the International Air Transport Association, Miami, USA. She holds a Law Degree and in 1999 she graduated from the University of Athens in Business Administration.

During her time as Director General at ALBCONTROL, Mrs. Balluku was selected as one of the 12 members of the Air Navigation Agency Board at EUROCONTROL. This board represents all stakeholders in air traffic management and their integration into the management and decision-making structures of EUROCONTROL in supporting the Single European Sky (SES).

Mrs. Balluku's contribution in the field of aviation in Albania has been continuously valued by international partners, and she has fostered excellent cooperation with neighboring agencies to the integration of ALBCONTROL into European organizations. Furthermore, she has enabled the realization of major changes in ALBCONTROL aiming at raising and aligning standards with the European Community, including the realization of pan European objectives such as FRA and MLAT.

In 2004, Mrs. Balluku joined the staff of the Municipality of Tirana, initially as Public Relations Adviser and later as the Head of the Mayor's Cabinet. During this period, she has led the development of communication strategies with the public and the media. She has been active in creating the web portal on the people's reception and has successfully managed the coordination between the Mayor and the executive directorates of the Municipality of Tirana.

Mrs. Balluku has extensive experience in the field of telecommunication. She has held senior management positions in AMC, the largest state-owned mobile phone company in the country during 2000- 2004. During this dynamic period for AMC, Mrs. Balluku has been part of the decision-making board, as well.

Mrs. Balluku has been a vital part of the Socialist Party of Albania since 2006. She has contributed continuously in electoral campaigns, has organized important political events and has been a driving force in engaging the youth in political activism.

Social responsibility is an area where Ms. Balluku has increasingly contributed by being present through community projects and other initiatives.