Inter-Parliamentary Union - British Group - PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO ALBANIA 22 TO 27 OCTOBER 2007


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Delegation Reports

PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO ALBANIA FROM 22-27 OCTOBER 2007

Delegation

John Grogan MP– Leader Labour

David Chaytor MP Labour
Madeleine Moon MP

Peter Atkinson MP- Conservative

Mark Pritchard MP - Conservative

Our delegation was the first ever official delegation from the United Kingdom parliament to Albania. Moreover, the last inward delegation to Westminster had been as far back as 1993.
Three of our delegation of five had previously visited the country which in my own case was as recently as the local elections earlier this year, and, in my colleague David Chaytor’s, case as far back as the 1970’s.
Our first morning was taken up with meetings in the parliament building with the Speaker of the Parliament, Mrs Josefina Topalli, followed by the Albania-Britain Friendship Group, the Foreign Policy Parliamentary Committee and the Economy and Finance Parliamentary.
We were able to note that our Parliament had recently ratified the European Union Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Albania.
Whilst Albanian parliamentarians recognised that European Union membership remained a long term aspiration, they were keen to stress their hope that the NATO conference in Bucharest in early 2008 would result in an invitation for them to join this organisation.
The Albanian contribution to NATO operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia was discussed as was the situation in Kosovo. An official lunch was held in the villa in the so called “block” which had previously been the official residence of the dictator Enver Hoxha It seemed particularly fitting that the lunch was hosted by the Speaker of the Albanian parliament and that we were able to toast the progress of Albanian democracy.
Later on the Monday afternoon, we visited the headquarters of MJAFT the principal civil rights organisation in the country. MJAFT is characterised by a new generation of well educated Albanians who are determined to be vigilant about individual and media freedoms as well as the accountability of government.
On Tuesday, October 23, we met the Foreign Minister, Mr Lulzim Basha, whose advisor was the grandson of King Zog, and the mayor of Tirana Mr Edi Rama The latter is also leader of the opposition socialist party, and an interview with him in his colourful office recently featured in Michael Palin’s BBC programme The New Europe.
Mr Rama was keen to stress that for him Albania joining Europe was as much about changing attitudes and the culture at home as it was an accession date. He is renowned for ordering all the tower blocks in the city to be painted in colourful colours to improve the drab image of Tirana.
Later on, we visited the Directorates of the police service and of prisons. Our delegation was impressed with their efforts to raise standards in the country albeit on limited resources
Our third day, Wednesday October 24, began with a discussion on energy policy with the responsible minister, Mr Genc Ruli.
Albania is almost wholly dependent on hydro power, and a dry summer has resulted in periodic power cuts. Thermal energy is seen as the most likely additional power source.
At about the same time that Gordon Brown was answering questions in the House of Commons we were able to put our own to Prime Minister, Mr Sali Berisha. Seven of our delegation had met the Prime Minister during his visit a week earlier in Westminster. All of us reflected that the likely electoral contest in 2008 or 2009 between Berisha and Rama would be a formidable one.
On Wednesday afternoon, we visited the port of Durres. The activity in the port and the building of hotels for the emerging tourist market on the coast underlined the fact that the economy is growing at 5 to 6 per cent a year.
A further visit followed to the trafficked women rehabilitation centre outside Tirana. We were advised that whilst trafficking of Albanian women had virtually ceased there was still both an historic problem and one of women in transit. It was suggested to us that as the country of destination Britain should do more to assist trafficked women rather than just deporting them.
Highlights of our visit on Thursday, October 25 included a trip to Shkodra hosted by the mayor and an evening reception in the Rogner Hotel hosted by the British Albanian Chamber of Commerce. The importance of British investment - like that of Vodafone and of the British Airways direct flight from Heathrow to Tirana - was stressed.
On our final morning, we visited leaders of the Muslim, Bektashi and Orthodox religions, and noted that Albania’s tradition of tolerance and moderation in religion was something of which the country should be proud.