Our youth political education program with a special focus on Albania’s EU membership enabled participants to visit the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania.
The group of H.A.N.A met with Mrs. Admira Jorgji, Director of the Directorate of the European Union at the Ministry and Mrs. Inid Milo, Director at the Directorate of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora.
As the holder of the Integration Portfolio, our young people were thus introduced to the important role of this institution in the drafting of diplomatic policies as well as the progress of relations with the European Union since 1991 and the 2 starting points in this direction were a) the Agreement on Trade and Cooperation as well as b) 1996 – Initiation of the process for the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).
Obviously, the discussion about the Negotiation of the 33 Chapters of the Acquis had particular focus in the meeting, although the SAA (the main principles that Albania has agreed with the Union community to implement) remains just as much as a priority.
An interesting fact was the sharing that about 70% of the need to fulfill the Chapters is in the “hands” of the Local Government.
To Kejvin’s question if there is an EU country to which we refer for comparison in terms of a journey similar to Albania, Mrs. Jorgji answered that this country is Croatia, which we consult about the Negotiations Process.
Meanwhile, our young people physically present, as well as the ones online, used the opportunity to direct many of their questions or points of view which were related to the inhibition of large companies to invest in Albania, the role of Open Balkan, greatest challenges or progress in the advancement with the Chapters, the situation with the standards for the export of local products, mass emigration, slow rates of progress, etc.
We are proud of the critical thinking and ability of our young people to address complex issues completely freely with diplomats and senior officials. Our tradition of the winter school in political studies and about Albania’s EU membership for the 3rd year in a row has influenced the young participants to strengthen their voice and knowledge in the issues addressed.
We thank Mrs. Jorgji and Mrs. Milo for the reception and readiness towards us and our young people.
