Begaj urges ambassadors not to forget Kosovo when working for Albania

During a word held at a meeting organised by the head of state with Albanian diplomats, within the framework of the Ambassadors' Conference “Tirana 2024 <24x1>, which is being held in the capital, Begaj began his word, thanking all ambassadors and consultations on their work and reminding them that they should create the necessary facilities for Albanians in the countries they serve.

He said it is unacceptable that Albanian diplomatic headquarters do not serve Albanian citizens.

Begaj noted that a particular importance must be dedicated to Kosovo to assist it under any circumstances, as well as its membership in international and regional organisations.

Full word of Begaj:

Let me express the satisfaction that I am among you at this meeting with all our representatives in other states and international institutions! This expectation is a good opportunity for conversation on issues of importance to Albania's diplomacy and foreign policy.

To begin with, I want to express gratitude for your hard work and hard work in representing Albania with honor and dignity!

Thanks to your commitment, we have managed to strengthen our position in the international arena and promote national interests more effectively. Take the opportunity to thank all the ambassadors I have worked closely with during my visits abroad!

Today's meeting takes place within your ambassadorial conference. As far as I've been informed, the work has been productive and I believe you have designed a future at a level with the expectations not only of our country but also of the time we live in.

I say this because within a few years the world has undergone radical changes. I guess we still have a fresh memory when globalisation was the top word of the day. Multilateral relations, or multilatherism, remained the basis of international relations. Information technology greatly facilitated work, people communicated more easily, and social media became the main instrument for their interconnection. The biggest investments were mainly in technology, trade and entrepreneurship. The world was so naturally interconnected that diplomacy had to redefine itself. Otherwise, traditional diplomats were in danger of returning to relic. Few predicted the change that would follow.

The world scene, until yesterday united, is now experiencing the decline of the forgotten iron curtain. Multilaterisation has received successive shocks. Globalization has erupted under the pressure of regional forces. Technology showed its dark side as it began to be used for negative purposes, such as spreading false information and influencing democratic elections. Furthermore, thorny issues such as social inequality, cyber security, depopulation, climate change, and the birth of artificial intelligence have made it even more complicated to find solutions.

Russian aggression against Ukraine changed everything. The first war in Europe since 1945 returned. Similarly, in the Middle East, after a relatively calm period, the Israeli-Hamas conflict was reactivated, seriously risking expansion.

Meanwhile, global investments in the security sector have increased significantly. (In developed European countries, plans have begun to renew mandatory military service, even preparing the population for possible warfare.) Geopoliticality returned to the stage, and along with it the irreplaceable role of diplomacy and the diplomat, because war is fought by soldiers but peace by diplomats.

Your role as diplomats relates to your expertise. In the modern world, there are many actors dealing with foreign policy, but only you exercise diplomacy. Use such superiority properly! In the world of blooming false news or completely different realities, obtaining reliable information, drawn up by experts like you, is a golden opportunity. You are the ones who have the opportunity to read correctly and analyze situations deeply. A professional diplomat relies on facts, analysis, and cold logic.

Of course, interpreting realities requires professional capacities that go beyond your profession's daily routine. Continued professional skills update is the necessary condition for a diplomat.

The major technological developments of our time are another topic I wanted to address. In recent years we have witnessed the radical digitization of the world, but online interaction will never replace the feature of the interpersonial relationship. So it's important that, along with exercising digital capacities, you remember the human element in your contacts.

Today it is challenging to make the pro-active, modern, technological diplomat, but traditional in insisting on implementing strategic goals in the service of national interest.

The risk of inertia or professional hibernation is real and harmful not only for you professionally but also for the country. This is a profession that requires diligence, commitment and, above all, love of the profession, Albania and Albania.

Albania is no longer 30 years old. Albania enjoys prestige and a well-deserved place in the international arena. Our country showed maturity during O chairmanship The SEU and during its mandate at the UN Security Council. Co-operation with our strategic ally, the US, for Ukraine on the issue of peace and security, was the culmination of the maturity of our foreign policy.

I am convinced that based on these achievements our diplomacy will be able to keep up with the step of our foreign policy. Build on Previous Successes!

International developments are many and varied, and they affect us directly or in a more peripheral form. The situation of regional and global peace remains fluid, but our national interests, strategic partnerships, the role as NATO member state, or the goal of EU membership remain unchanged, as the main pillars of our foreign policy and diplomatic action.

The Western Balkan region, where Albanians have a strong voice and a decision-making role, remains the political-economic and social reality, where Albanian diplomacy should say its word with all the potential and convincing arguments to ensure the Euro-Atlantic future of this part of Albania.

I especially want to highlight the active role our diplomacy should continue to play in relations with Kosovo. Kosovo should not remain as a recurring talking point, but should be an integral part of our diplomatic action.

Our diplomacy should continue unconditional support for Kosovo. Kosovo must rely whenever and everywhere, under any circumstances or situation. It is our duty to work for Kosovo's membership in international and regional bodies, as well as for its new recognitions.

Recently, but not by importance, I want to stop in another aspect of your work: services for citizens. Stay close to Albanians wherever they are! There is no more unacceptable phenomenon than an embassy or consulate that is not in full and permanent service to its citizens. As a people already living and working abroad, your services should always remain accessible to our citizens.

Dear ambassadors,

In closing, I want to express confidence that only through inter-institutional co-operation will we achieve the successes we want.

I expect of you an active role in suggesting space for diplomatic action, as I expect real and direct communication and information about developments in the countries or regions you cover. I am committed to supporting your work and offering the assistance needed to meet the challenges we face.

Express the conviction that even in the direction of Minister Hasani will follow up on responsible work and homeland love for Albania and Albanians everywhere!

Thank you.