EuroSpeak Launching Event

On 11 October, EMA held EuroSpeak launching event at EU information Center. The informative bulletin EuroSpeak is published in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). EuroSpeak is a bimonthly magazine in Albanian language updated with information and analysis on EU affairs, with a particular focus on the development of relations between EU and Albania and other countries of the region.

Distinguished guest speakers in this event were: H. E. Ambassador Ettore Sequi, Head of European Union Delegation to Albania, and Mr. Michael Weichert, Director of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) for Albania.

The meeting was opened by the welcome speech of the EU Ambassador in Albania, Mr. Ettore Sequi. During his speech the Ambassador emphasised the importance of information of public opinion on integration processes, by pointed out that european integration of Albania into EU is not an exclusive issue of policy makers rather than of all Albanian citizens.

“Informed citizens are the key factor of EU success and in the same time key factor to the success of Albania’s integration process. Citizens will contribute in shaping the policies only if they understand them” — accentuated the Ambassador. Concerning the role of EuroSpeak, Ambassador Sequi stressed: “I trust that the informative instrument ‘Eurospeak’ will represent an investment towards strengthening the democratic values at Albanian citizens by contributing in their empowerment. I welcome this bulletin and hopefully it will have long and extensive success”.

Mr. Michael Weichert, Director of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) for Albania held a speech on the role that foundation he represented performed in terms of public information as an effective instrument to influence the decision making process. He pointed out that FES support towards the information and awareness of public opinion in Albania on EU values is realized throughout several instruments among others the EuroSpeak magazine as the most recent one.

Executive Director of EMA, Mr. Gledis Gjipali during his speech explained one of the main aims of EMA’s work such as the information and promotion of EU values and the Albania’s EU integration process. Mr. Gjipali underlined that EuroSpeak is new instrument in wide range of tools applied by EMA in the framework of the information and awareness of the Albanian citizens on EU matters. A greater commitment EMA demonstrates towards information of young people, in particular for a better understanding of the European integration process in order to encourage their participation in the public life. Concluding Mr. Gjipali expressed the support for the future initiative “Why we need the European Integration?” awareness campaign that will be initiated by the European Union Delegation to Albania.

A more detailed description of the informative bulletin EuroSpeak was addressed for the audience by the editor in chief Mrs. Blerta Hoxha. She emphasised that this bulletin targets despite youth also academics, business community, media as well as everyone who is interested on the European Integration process. The informative bulletin is structured in the following rubrics: on Focus (it covers an interview with one of the Albanians or foreign personalities in the areas of diplomacy politics, economy etc. Part of this rubric are also 2 others articles, one on the latest developments of relations EU —Albania and the other one related with remarkable events at EU level); Postcards from EU (contains interesting articles from the latest developments in Brussels or EU member states); Perspective (in this rubric will 2 -3 opinions/ point of views of well known personalities in the field of European Studies are confronted); Waiting for EU accession (is dedicated to the latest relevant news coming from the Western Balkans).

Media coverage of the event can be found at EMA in the Media section.