On 23 October, the Professional Veterinary Medical Order of Albania (Urdhri Profesional i Mjekut Veterinar të Shqipërisë, UPMVSH) celebrated its 10th anniversary in Tirana, highlighting a ‘decade of progress in professional standards, education, and integration into the European veterinary community.’
Involved in FVE since 2019
‘Over these ten years, UPMVSH has built a credible and united professional home for Albanian veterinarians, while protecting animal welfare, public health, and consumer trust,’ rejoiced its President, Ervin Resuli. UPMVSH joined the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) in 2019 and became a full member of the Union of European Veterinary Practitioners (UEVP) in 2024.
European representation at the anniversary
Celebrations were attended by representatives of the UEVP, the Union of European Veterinary Hygienists (UEVH) and the European Association of State Veterinary Officers (EASVO), and of the neighbouring veterinary chambers of Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Italy, Germany, Montenegro and Kosovo. The Presidents of FVE and UEVP, Siegfried Moder and Volker Moser, sent their congratulations by video message. Live Music by a former representative for Albania at the European Song Contest was presented along with food and drinks.
Meeting with Albanian veterinary authorities
On 24 October, delegates met with the Deputy Minister for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs Arjan Jaupllari, and the Chief Veterinary Officer of Albania Matilda Xhepa. The round table discussions highlighted the results achieved over the past decade — most notably the introduction of Albania’s national pet identification and registration system, professional registration of veterinarians, and the establishment of continuous education. Delegates stressed the importance of a strong Veterinary Statutory Body for self-governance and self-regulation of the profession and to strengthen activities of private veterinary practitioners in the field of livestock.
European cooperation ‘helps strengthen veterinary professionalism’
‘The UPMVSH has shown how a motivated professional order can achieve tangible progress in a short time,’ applauded Jason Aldiss, President of UEVH. Vice-President of UEVP Jan Bernardy added: ‘Albania’s example demonstrates that European cooperation helps strengthen veterinary professionalism and public trust.’ Delegates finally visited a companion animal hospital in Tirana (employing about 55 staff, of which 27 vets), probably the biggest private veterinary clinic in the Balkans.
800 licensed veterinarians
Today, UPMVSH counts over 800 licensed veterinarians, including practitioners — of which half private (30% farm animals, 20% companion animals), and half public veterinary practitioners — as well as official veterinarians working in the fields of food hygiene, animal health, education and state veterinary services.
On the photo, Ervin Resuli (President, Albanian Veterinary Order, centre) with Tomislav Nikolavski (Veterinary Chamber of North Macedonia), Hasan Limani (Kosovo Veterinary Chmaber), Maurizio Ferri (Official State Inspector, Italy), Albatrit Halili (University of Pristina), Mentor Barani (Kosovo Veterinary Chamber), Dietmar Gerstner (Austrian Veterinary Chamber), Jan Bernardi (UEVP), Jason Aldiss (UEVH), Tomo Wanmüller (Slovenian Veterinary Chamber), Rami Selmani (North Macedonian Veterinary Chamber), Zharko Mihajloski (North Macedonian Chamber), Gloria Hylviu (Albanian Veterinary Order), Mirela Juras (Croatian Veterinary Chamber), in front of the statue of Skënderbeu (1405–1468), Albania’s national hero.