During the second day of the Conference of Ambassadors, heads of Albanian diplomatic missions in the world attended three thematic panels, which aimed at addressing key aspects of the Albanian foreign policy.
The first panel, which focused on the integration perspective of the Western Balkans, had as keynote speakers Klajda Gjosha, Minister of European Integration, Ana Palacio, Member of the Council of State of Spain, Arta Dade, Head of Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy, Majlinda Bregu, Head of Parliamentary Committee for European Integration and National Council on European Integration and Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council. Panelists dwelt on the EU internal dynamics and the advancement of the EU integration process, as the ultimate goal of Albanian citizens.
The second panel, entitled "Filling the gaps of our security architecture" had as panelists Enver Hoxhaj, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Mimi Kodheli, Minister of Defense, Damian Gjiknuri, Minister of Energy and Industry, Ernst Reichel, Germany`s Special Envoy for South East Europe, Turkey and EFTA countries and Sandër Leshi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Security Issues. They put the emphasis on challenges facing Albania and the region in the framework of a complex, multifaceted and interdependent international climate, as well as Albania`s capacities in terms of enhancing security in the context of trans-Atlantic structures. Minister Hoxhaj highlighted the latest developments in the region and the importance of further boosting and intensifying cooperation in view of the Strategic Partnership between our two countries. Energy security and its increasing influential role in the continent`s security architecture was the main topic of this panel.
The third panel of the conference, "The resurgence of third actors in Southeast Europe” had as keynote speakers Selim Belortaja, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, François Heisbourg, Chair of the Council of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Andrey Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs` Council, John Rendon, CEO, Rendon Group and Sinan Ülgen, Executive Chairman, Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM). Interlocutors focused on the increasing dimension of regional bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as the growing interest of both traditional and non-traditional actors from outside the region.
During the second day proceedings of the Conference of Ambassadors, heads of Albanian diplomatic missions in the world were welcomed at a special meeting by Prime Minister Edi Rama and Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta. In his remarks, PM Rama commended the work of Albanian diplomacy carried out in the last 24 months, as well as developments, fundamental principles and objectives of the Albanian foreign policy, relations with neighbors and the contribution that diplomacy can provide to the country`s progress.