Thank you, Mr. Chair,
Albania warmly welcomes Ambassador Vincenzo Del Monaco and thanks him for presenting the report of the OSCE Presence in Albania to the Permanent Council.
Earlier this year, we marked the 25th anniversary of the OSCE Presence in Albania – an occasion to take stock of the journey towards change, democratization and modernization that Albania has gone through. It has done so thanks to the willpower and perseverance of its people, but with the welcomed and valuable assistance by the OSCE and others along the way.
We commend the Presence’s longstanding and ongoing contribution to comprehensive reforms – activities undertaken in accordance with its mandate and the objectives of the Albanian Government. To this day, the Presence remains a reliable partner for Albania. Albania’s institutions and the Presence enjoy close co-operation, contributing to a culture of national ownership and shared purpose.
We appreciate in particular the work of the Presence in supporting reform efforts in the justice sector, public administration and good governance, parliament and elections, the fight against organized crime and corruption, strengthening civil society and promoting active citizenship.
Similarly, the Presence gives a valuable contribution to some important developments in the country through projects on rule of law, human rights, media, gender equality, and inclusion of youth.
These reforms in turn propel the country forward on the path of European Union integration, which represents an anchor for Albania’s democratization, consolidation of institutions, and strengthening of the rule of law. It enjoys undisputed support from the entire political spectrum and the Albanian society.
 
Mr. Chair, colleagues,
As noted in the report of the Head of Presence, the fight against crime and corruption, and increasing security for citizens, is a priority for Albania, being implemented in close co-operation with international partners, including the OSCE. The reform of the justice system in Albania is the most comprehensive reform conducted in the country in the last 30 years. Challenges persist, but so does our commitment to overcome them.
 
The recommendations of ODIHR’s report remain one of the main pillars of electoral reform. Albania is determined to provide for its citizens a comprehensive legal framework that guarantees democratic electoral processes and introduces more innovative instruments that improve transparency and trust in our institutions.
 
Albania remains committed also to further theeconomic reform objectives, considerably affected by the devastating earthquake in November 2019 and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Albania remains an ardent advocate of human rights and continues to strive to apply high standards of protecting human and minority rights at home. Based on our long tradition of inter-religious and inter-ethnic harmony and co-existence in the country, we highly value tolerance and non-discrimination. The implementation of the law on protection of national minorities in Albania,approved in 2017, and the relevant secondary legislation, constitute an important element of Albania’s progress in reinforcing its commitments. The law acknowledges also the right to free self-identification. Albania has approved already nine out of the 12 bylaws supporting the law of 2017. The remaining three ones are expected to be adopted soon.
Likewise, Albania is working hard to advance high standards on freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
My country continues to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment at home and it is also a main foreign policy pillar. In order to promote peace and security through more inclusion of women in foreign policy, our Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs is organizing on 19 July in Tirana the forum on "Women in Foreign Policy”. The event aims to bring together women ministers of foreign affairs, European integration and defence from the Western Balkan, as well as high-level representatives from the international sphere, politics, academia and civil society. We look forward to welcoming – virtually – Secretary General Helga Schmid at this event.
And with Tirana holding the title of European Youth Capital for 2022, an ambitious programme is underway that aims to address the needs of youth, championing non-formal education and striving to connect the city and its youth with European values.
 
Mr. Chair, colleagues,
Albania attaches great importance to regional cooperation. In this vein, we commend the engagement of the Presence with other OSCE field operations in South-Eastern Europe. We also appreciate the visits of the Chairperson-in-Office, Minister Rau, to the region, and we were pleased to welcome him to Tirana in June.
Albania’s approach to our neighbourhood remains to promote and contribute to political stability, peace, security and economic development through cooperation, both at bilateral and at multilateral level.
In times like these, with increasing multifaceted global challenges, Albania is proud to pursue a foreign policy that is fully in line with EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Albania and the Albanians from the outset have stood clearly with Ukraine, its people and its Government against Russia’s aggression against its peaceful neighbour. We shall continue to make our principled position and voice heard, here at the OSCE, in the UN Security Council, and elsewhere in the international arena.  
 
Mr. Chair, colleagues,
In conclusion, I wish to thank all the colleagues who took the floor earlier for their remarks and their continued support and contribution to my country!
We are grateful for the partnership with the Presence and its great team in Tirana. On a more personal note, I would like to say that I have been fortunate to witness first-hand the broad spectrum and impact of the activities of the Presence. In different capacities of my professional life in Albania – as an academic, as a promoter of civil society, as a politician, and as a government minister – I have been able to rely on the excellent co-operation and support of the Presence.
And as this is likely Ambassador Del Monaco’s last address to the Permanent Council in his current capacity, on behalf of my country and my own, I wish to express special thanks for hispersonal dedication and professionalism and to wish him good luck!  
Caro Vincenzo, mille grazie e in bocca al lupo! Thank you!