International Conference: “Greek Presidencies and Enlargement in the Western Balkans: State of Affairs”

On 18 June 2014 , European Movement Albania and the Embassy of Greece to Albania in partnership with Hellenic Foundation of European and Foreign Policy organized the International Conference: “Greek Presidencies and Enlargement in the Western Balkans: State of Affairs”. The one-day international conference in Tirana aimed to discuss the state of affairs with EU enlargement comprehensively, analysing the role of Greece and the upcoming Italian presidency, as well as lessons learnt from previous enlargements. Other topics analysed included the role of the Assembly of Albania in the further steps of EU accession as well as the prospective of Western Balkans Investment Framework in upcoming IPA II.

Before the conference invitations were sent to political personalities, analyst, academia, civil society and media from the region and EU member states. The event, which lasted from 9.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m hosted distinguished speakers: H.E. Mr. Ditmir Bushati, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mrs. Klajda Gjosha, Minister of European Integration, Mrs. Majlinda Bregu, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration, H.E. Mr. Leonidas Rokanas, Ambassador of Greece to Albania, Mr. Clive Rumbold, Chargé d’Affaires, Delegation of the European Union to Albania, Mr Vassilis Maragos, Head of Unit in charge of Albania, DG Enlargement, European Commission, H.E. Mr. Massimo Gaiani, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Albania, Mr Janos Huszar, Ambassador of Hungary, Mr. Vangjel Dule, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Albania, Mr. Aldo Bumçi, Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy, Mrs. Valentina Leskaj, Parliamentary Committee on European Integration.

 Welcome message

The Conference was opened by the welcoming speech of Ambassador of Greece in Albania, H.E. Mr. Leonidas Rokanas. After thanking the participants and congratulating the work done by EMA, Mr. Rokanas was focused on the actual situation in Albania by stating that the country has shown strong commitment especially in political, cultural and historical aspects and lately has proved determination in the fight against organized crime and drugs. His expectations were optimistic regarding EU Council decision on Albanian EU candidate status. Mr. Rokanas emphasized the aim and role of Greek Presidency in supporting Western Balkan enlargement, and in promoting peace, stability, economic prosperity, social justice and sustainability in the region.

State of Affairs of Albania’s EU accession reforms

The first session “State of Affairs of Albania’s EU Accession reforms” was moderated by Mr. Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director of European Movement Albania. The guest speaker H.E. Mr. Ditmir Bushati, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Albania stated that Albanian candidate status would reflect a positive signal of stabilization in Albania and Western Balkans, but also a positive step for Europe itself, which considers enlargement process as its own challenge. According to H.E.Mrs. Klajda Gjosha, European Integration has helped Albania in deepening its relations with member countries and improving the political climate in Western Balkan region. She mentioned the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, as a historical fact of collaboration. Mrs. Majlinda Bregu, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration, declared the support without condition given by the opposition regarding EU integration, and addressed the role of institutions, as key instruments to strengthen democracy and rule of law.

EU enlargement: What next? The Greek Presidency and the incoming Italian Presidency

The session “EU enlargement: What next?”moderated byMrs. Erjona Rusi, brought togetherMr. Clive Rumbold, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Delegation of the European Union to Albania, Mr Vassilis Maragos, Head of Unit in charge of Albania, DG Enlargement, European Commission, H.E. Mr. Leonidas Rokanas, Ambassador of Greece to Albania, H.E. Mr. Massimo Gaiani, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Albania. Mr. Rokanas and Mr. Gaiani expressed respectively their views about Greek Presidency and the incoming Italian Presidency by stressingtheir commitment toward Western Balkans EU Enlargement. According to Mr. Maragos the independence in judiciary is essential for Albanian EU integration. Since Enlargement is a response of public will, Mr. Rumbold commented the involvement of CSOs in the process as essential.

The role of the Assembly of Albania in the EU integration process: In quest of empowerment

Further, the discussion moderated by Mr. Gjergji Vurmo, was focused on the role of the Assembly of Albania in the EU integration process: in quest of empowerment. Mr. Vangjel Dule, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Albania underlined the need for a consensus between position and opposition in Albanian government for the common agenda of EU Integration. Hence, beyond confronting political issues of the day, political elite has to show maturity. Mr. Aldo Bumçi, Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy presented the challenges faced by the Parliament, and posed the integration process as political more than technical. Further, Mrs. Valentina Leskaj, Parliamentary Committee on European Integration and Mrs. Albana Shtylla, Secretary General of the Assembly of Albania mentioned the importance of Deputy Offices in transparency and opening to the public. They expressed the need for a strengthening function of the Assembly as a controller.

Ten years form the biggest enlargement: Lessons learnt on economy and democratization and significance for the Western Balkans

The panellists of the fourth session of the International Conference, H.E. Janos Huszar, Ambassador of Hungary, Mr. Remzi Lani, Executive Director Albanian Media Institute, Ms. Edith Harxhi, Executive Director of Albanian Policy Center and Mr. Ioannis Armakolas, Head of South-East Europe Programme ELIAMEP discussed on lessons learned on economy and democratization in ten years from the biggest enlargement. Mr. Lani gave an explanation of Western Balkans journey considering the historical. Geographic, democratization and image aspects. Ms. Harxhi noted that there is a lack of agreement in the Balkans and a need of a unilateralism.

Beyond the Thessaloniki Agenda: Transport, Energy, Interconnection and Education/ Prospective of Western Balkans Investment Framework in upcoming IPA II

Concluding, the last session “Beyond the Thessaloniki agenda: Transport, Energy,Interconnectioon and Education” was opened by Mr. Yngve Engström, Head of Operations EU Delegation in Albania, who presented the lessons learned from Western Balkans Investment Framework and IPA I. The guest speakers Mr. Ilir Bejtja, Vice-Minister of Energy, Mr. Erion Luçi, Vice-Minister of Finance, Ms. Enida Bezhani, External Affairs Advisor TAP AG, moderated by Mrs.Ledia Gjiknuri focused on beneficiary’s insights in WBIF support up to date in Albania. They explained the effects that TAP has in the wider spectrum in Albania, Greece and Italy and its benefits in strengthening the neighbouring collaboration in the region.

 After each session the conference was followed by 10-15 minutes discussion when participants brought questions related the topics presented.