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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.
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