Vice PM and minister of economy, energy and trade, Ilir Meta has been involved in major corruption scandal in Albania.

The scandal was unveiled when the country's biggest TV station - Top Channel - aired a ten-minute video made in March 2010 showing Ilir Meta, who at the time served as deputy PM and foreign minister, having talks with former minister of energy Dritan Prifti. In the video, Meta was asking Prifti to grant a permit for concession of hydro power plants to a concrete company without tender.

In it, Meta is heard saying that the owner of the company was offering a 7% provision, estimated at 700.000 euros for obtaining a permit.

So far, there have been no reaction by the government of Albania or PM Sali Berisha.

The opposition Socialist Party has been accusing Ilir Meta of corruption together with other members of his party - Socialist Movement for Integration - which is part of the coalition government with Sali Berisha's Democratic Party.