The opening of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Delegations from South East Europe to the OSCE PA in Tirana, 13 April 2024TIRANA, 15 April 2023 – More than 15 parliamentarians convened in Tirana on 12-14 April for the inaugural Inter-Parliamentary Forum, organized by OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on South East Europe Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus). Hosted by the Albanian Delegation to the OSCE PA, with support from the Albanian Parliament, the forum provided an opportunity for parliamentarians from South East Europe to engage in meaningful exchanges and strengthen collaboration.
The Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Lindita Nikolla, along with the Head of the Albanian Delegation to the OSCE PA, Damian Gjiknuri, and Special Representative Hadjiyianni, inaugurated the forum with opening remarks. Delegations from Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovenia, and Albania participated in the forum.
The agenda covered discussions on the work of the OSCE Presence in Albania, EU integration of Albania and the Western Balkan countries, and co-operation among delegations to the OSCE PA. Participants shared concerns on topics such as irregular migration, foreign investment, tourism, cultural exchange, depopulation of the region, science diplomacy and best practices regarding solidarity among South East European countries in the face of past natural disasters.
Clarisse Pasztory, Acting Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, provided an overview of the organization’s work over the years and its current programmes and projects. Following this, State Minister and Chief Negotiator on European Integration, Majlinda Dhuka, offered detailed insights into the government’s efforts toward European integration.
Kyriakos Hadjiyianni speaks at the opening of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum, Tirana, 13 April 2024“The forum aims to promote co-operation and support regional initiatives of the OSCE PA, to exchange our experiences to contribute to the consolidation of friendship, co-operation, and values among our peoples, for progress in the region and the promotion of development opportunities,” said Special Representative Hadjiyianni. “By co-operating and supporting each other, we can turn challenges and difficulties into opportunities for the development of peace for our countries and the region, for today and for future generations.”
Damian Gjiknuri, Head of the Albanian Delegation to the OSCE PA, stated: “At the forum, we exchanged opinions and ideas on increasing parliamentary and comprehensive co-operation between our countries, on similarities, commonalities, and differences, in order to learn and support each other in facing common challenges for our countries and the region. Speaking freely, openly, directly, and without barriers, we express the feelings, friendship, aspirations, and interests of our citizens.”
Participants of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum reached an agreement to host a side event during the upcoming Annual Session in Bucharest and to continue the forum in other capitals in the South East European region.
At the end of the forum, participants agreed on a joint declaration affirming a commitment to enhanced co-operation and friendly relations. To download the declaration, please click here.
