Delegation from Albania help to deepen already strong ties between two countries
BGIPU had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from the Parliament of the Republic of Albania from Monday 24 February to Tuesday 25 February. The delegation was led by Mr Lavdrim Krashi, Chair of the Albania-UK Friendship group and was comprised of Jorida Tabaku, Pandeli Majko, Pranvera Resulaj and Bledjon Nallbati. They were accompanied by His Excellency Uran Ferizi, Ambassador of Albania to the UK and Irma Pashkja, General Director of the Foreign Relations Service.
The visit began with an introduction to Parliament and the Westminster system from Emma Makey, Head of Programmes and Strategy for the Interparliamentary Relations Office. This was followed by a meeting with Nusrat Ghani MP, Deputy Speaker and Chair of Ways and Means during which the delegation highlighted the strength of the bilateral relationship and outlined the purpose of their visit. The delegation then had the opportunity to meet with Fabian Hamilton MP, Chair of BGIPU, alongside Nicole Piché of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group. This presented the chance to become familiarised with both BGIPU and the work of the Human Rights Group and the various other APPGs within Parliament. The discussions were wide ranging, touching on the recent reforms to the Albanian justice system and the human rights ramifications of this as well as the large Albanian diaspora within the UK and the subsequent positive relations and perceptions between the people of each nationality.
The morning was concluded with a working lunch hosted by Fabian Hamilton MP. After lunch the delegation met with Nesil Caliskan MP, whose constituency of Barking is home to a significant Albanian community. Discussions focused on the Albanian community in Barking and the upcoming Albanian elections being the first in which Albanians abroad will be able to vote. The afternoon was concluded with a meeting with Andy Slaughter MP, Chair of the Justice Committee. They discussed Albania’s recent justice reforms and compared them to the British justice system, as well as ongoing issues with visa applications to the UK for Albanian citizens.
Day two of the visit began with a meeting at the FCDO with Victoria Billing, Director for Europe (Western Balkans and Mediterranean) where the delegation discussed a wide range of subjects in bilateral relations including UK support for Albania continuing along the path towards EU accession, trade relations, and the Albanian diaspora in the UK. The delegation then returned to Parliament for a working lunch with MPs and Peers hosted by Baroness D’Souza, followed by a roundtable meeting with the APPG on Kosovo and Albania. After this, they met with the Standards Committee to discuss the committee’s role and the differences between the UK and Albania with regard to the scrutiny and enforcement of parliamentary standards.
The delegation then met with Baroness Hodge, UK Anti-Corruption Champion, to discuss the strengthening of anti-corruption institutions in Albania as well as the methods and processes of tackling corruption in politics. The visit ended with a meeting with the Home Affairs Committee, where subjects included the close engagement between the UK and Albania in the realm of law enforcement, tackling modern slavery, and the high UK visa refusal rate for Albanian citizens.
The visit helped to reinforce increasingly strong relations between the UK and Albania following several other recent bilateral engagements, including a visit to Westminster by the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament earlier this year which BGIPU was also engaged in.
Delegation pictured on the House of Commons terrace with members of BGIPU Executive Committee
Delegation meet with BGIPU Chair, Fabian Hamilton, and Nicole Piche of the Human Rights APPG
Delegation with members of the APPG for Kosovo and Albania
