Shin.i Redaksise – Autori i ketij shkrimi ,Hans-Georg Nielsen eshte “Konsull Nderi” i Ambasades Shqiptare ne Danimarke.
From left Arben Cici, Ilir Meta and Hans-Georg Nielsen at the conference (Foto hdl)
A Letter From the Consulate
Copenhagen April 5. 2014
Dear reader,
Below you will find the latest news from the Consulate.
Prison camp art
A Dane in 1990 went to Albania in order to do business in Tirana. During his stay he in 1991 got the opportunity to visit a work camp north of Tirana. During the visit he met a son of an Albanian who had been imprisioned for 15 years. The son told the businessman that his father in his free time in the camp used to carve wooden figures. As he needed money to feed his Family, he offered Skanderbeg for sale telling that the figure was about 50 years old. The businessman paid a fair price and when he left Albania after 4 rather tumultuous years, Skanderbeg followed him to Denmark. Now Skanderbeg (h: 0,55 m. l: 0,50 m.) has moved to the Consulate.
The Seal of Skandebeg
The presumed seal of the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, bought by the Danish king in 1634, is displayed in the National Museum of Denmark and now a wooden statue with an interesting history has joined the seal here in Copenhagen.
A Mother Teresa street or square
But thats not all. In Copenhagen we have a small Albania Street but together with our embassy and local Albanians we have convinced the Copenhagen City Counsil that we must have a Mother Teresa street or square. We are now waiting that the City Counsil finds the right street or square.
Ilir Meta in Copenhagen
Speaker of the Assembly Ilir Meta and a group of five MPs, including the Socialist Party (SP) Parlia-mentary Group Chair Gramoz Ruçi, SP MPs Olta Xhaçka and Musa Ulqini, Shpëtim Idrizi (Party for Justice, Integration and Unity) and Agron Duka (Republican Party), on April 1. to April 2. were on an official visit in Denmark, invited by the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Mogens Lykketoft. The Albanian delegation met with members of the Presidium, the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and representatives from the Confederate of Danish Industry. Meta also was received by the Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II.
On the second day of the visit, Albanian Ambassador in Copenhagen Arben Cici had arranged a conference debate on the topic “European perspective on Albania” in the Christiansborg Palace/ Parliament. Speakers were Mogens Lykketoft and Ilir Meta.
The main topic at the conference was of course the expected Albanian candidate status and the impact of the status on the Albanian economy. Mr. Meta also stressed that Albania welcomes Danish investors in Albania, particularly in the energy, agriculture, agro-processing and tourism sectors.
Rama: EU integration – an illusion without reforms in judiciary
In an interview with Deutche Welle on April 2., Prime Minister Edi Rama commented upon the issues discussed with the highest officials of Germany. When asked about Albania’s integration and the optimism of Chancellor Merkel, Rama replied that integration should not be considered a final station where one can sit down upon arrival. He said it is a process instead, full of challenges. According to him, without a real reform in the judiciary, EU integration remains but an illusion at the end of the day. He said integration was inextricably linked to a radical reformation of the judicial system. Rama added that the government is determined to carry out this reform, with the full support of partners which include the US, the EU and Germany. Rama said that both Merkel and he believe that integration is more of a journey inside oneself rather than a destination.
Stefan Fule: EU integration – the ball is in Albania’s court
Albanian papers published on April 4. an editorial authored by the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Füle, in which he writes that the “road to the decision about candidate status for Albania in June is clear”. Albania needs to focus on the rule of law and produce concrete results in fighting corruption, organised crime and advancing on judicial and administrative reform. Roma integration, anti-discrimination and clarity on property rights are also important reforms. But the most important thing is the following: “The current confrontational political climate undermines Albania’s achievements. You, government and opposition alike, need to make sure the process does not go off track. The government needs to create room for the opposition to participate. It also needs to set a good example by living by the rules. Any perception or doubt that the government does not fully respect the rules or the Constitution damages the country. There can be no justification for dismissing experts in executive agencies based on their political affiliation. The opposition has a clear responsibility too. It has to maintain a constructive approach. By working together, your efforts will be strengthened. And candidate status, once granted, will be recognition of the work of all concerned.”
An Albanian coordinated offensive in Tourism
The Albanian government has set up a coordinated plan to increase tourism in Albania. All embassies and consulates according to the plan should do their uttermost in order to promote Albania as a new exciting country with a lot to offer for tourists competing with the new emerging countries in the Balkans and old targets like e.g. Greece.
That´s all for now from Copenhagen
Sincerely,
Hans-Georg Nielsen
Albanian Honorary Consul
PS. The newsletter is mainly sent to relevant Danish authorities, Danes who have shown interest in Albania, Albanians living in Denmark, and to the friends and contacts of the consulate.
PPS. Follow us on www.albanskkonsulat.dk
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