29/08/2026
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
MABCO Constructions SA on the Meeting with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy Regarding Vlora International Airport
MABCO Constructions SA (“MABCO”) informs the public and relevant stakeholders that, on 28 August 2026, it participated in a meeting convened by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of the Republic of Albania (“MIE”) concerning the current situation related to the Vlora International Airport project (“VIA”).
MABCO was represented at the meeting by its representatives and legal counsel from Washington, D.C. and Tirana. Representatives of 2A, together with their legal representative, also attended the meeting, as did the Secretary General of MIE and members of the Ministry’s staff.
At the outset, MABCO clarified its legal position that, under the current circumstances, VIA cannot be validly represented in legal matters without a duly adopted resolution of the Shareholders’ Assembly authorizing such representation. Notwithstanding this position, and in the interest of constructive engagement and meaningful dialogue with MIE, MABCO accepted the Ministry’s request that the representatives concerned remain present during the meeting.
During the meeting, the Secretary General of MIE presented the Contracting Authority’s position regarding the asserted grounds for the early termination of the Concession Agreement for Vlora International Airport.
Each party was subsequently given the opportunity to present its respective legal and factual position concerning the circumstances that prevented the target date for commencement of airport operations from being met.
MABCO presented its position that a number of acts and omissions attributable to the Contracting Authority and other competent public authorities materially affected the implementation of the project and created objective obstacles to the timely fulfilment of certain contractual obligations.
During the meeting, VIA, acting through its currently disputed management and without prior approval of the Shareholders’ Assembly, stated that it had initiated proceedings before the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) in London seeking interim measures in connection with MIE’s decision to terminate the Concession Agreement.
According to the position presented during the meeting, those proceedings are based, among other matters, on technical considerations and alleged failures by MIE to fulfil certain obligations under the Concession Agreement.
MABCO made clear that it does not oppose the substance of the technical and contractual arguments presented in that context and, in principle, agrees with those arguments. At the same time, MABCO expressly reserved all of its rights as a shareholder with respect to the manner in which such proceedings were initiated.
MABCO also expressed its appreciation for the meeting convened by MIE and welcomed the Ministry’s stated willingness to explore a constructive and amicable resolution of the dispute concerning the early termination of the Concession Agreement.
At the same time, MABCO presented its concerns regarding a series of actions and omissions attributable to MIE and other competent Albanian authorities, including, among others, the courts, the National Business Center (QKB), the State Advocate’s Office and the State Police.
MABCO explained its position that these circumstances have adversely affected its investment in the Vlora International Airport project and may give rise to claims under the Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Albania on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (“Switzerland–Albania BIT”).
MABCO nevertheless reiterated that its principal objective remains the continuation and successful completion of the Vlora International Airport project rather than the escalation of the dispute.
Accordingly, MABCO welcomes any genuine and good-faith effort to achieve an amicable settlement between the parties and to avoid the need for international investment arbitration before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”) in Washington, D.C.
MABCO’s preference remains to resolve the outstanding issues through constructive engagement, provided that an equitable, lawful and sustainable framework can be established for the continuation of the project.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties agreed that each side would, within a short period, submit its respective proposals and requirements aimed at enabling the resumption of works and the commencement of operations at Vlora International Airport.
MIE expressed its willingness to consider the positions and proposals of the parties and to continue pursuing a path toward an amicable resolution of the dispute.
MABCO reiterated that, as an essential preliminary step toward restoring stability to the project, MIE should suspend the legal and practical effects of the notice concerning the early termination of the Concession Agreement.
In MABCO’s view, the continued effects of that notice create legal, contractual and commercial consequences not only for the concessionaire but also for third parties involved in the project and therefore risk further complicating efforts to resume works and restore normal operations.
MABCO considers the meeting of 28 August 2026 to be a positive and constructive development. At the same time, MABCO regrets that such direct dialogue was not facilitated at an earlier stage, despite its repeated requests and written communications seeking precisely this type of engagement.
MABCO further confirmed its readiness to complete all remaining works falling within its responsibilities in order to enable the commencement of the technical certification process for the airport infrastructure and to prepare the airport for the earliest possible commencement of operations.
For this process to proceed effectively, MABCO considers it essential that the appropriate legal, corporate and operational conditions be restored.
In particular, MABCO respectfully invites MIE, in accordance with its contractual obligations and the applicable legal framework, to ensure that its conduct remains fully consistent with the independence of judicial proceedings concerning disputes among the shareholders and that such disputes are resolved by the competent judicial authorities in accordance with law.
MABCO further considers that the lawful corporate governance and legitimacy of VIA must be restored and that the necessary conditions should be created for the return to the project site of the relevant subcontractors, the airport management company and MABCO personnel.
These steps are, in MABCO’s view, necessary to allow the remaining construction, technical and operational activities to resume without further delay.
In addition, MABCO requests that MIE support and facilitate a full and independent financial audit of the project by a reputable internationally recognized auditing firm.
Such an audit should cover all funds invested in the Vlora International Airport project and provide an independent and transparent record of the amounts invested, the use and movement of funds, and the origin of the financing.
MABCO considers such an audit essential for ensuring full transparency, protecting the interests of all stakeholders and establishing that the financing of the project has been conducted in accordance with applicable international financial standards and accepted principles concerning the lawful origin and movement of funds.
MABCO remains fully committed to transparency, constructive engagement and the successful completion of Vlora International Airport.
MABCO believes that, with good-faith cooperation from all parties, respect for the contractual and legal framework, restoration of proper corporate governance and removal of the obstacles that have affected implementation of the project, a mutually acceptable solution can be reached.
The ultimate objective should remain the same for all parties: to complete the remaining works, commence the technical certification process and bring Vlora International Airport into operation at the earliest realistically achievable date, in the interests of the project, its stakeholders and the Republic of Albania.