TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/- By Maela Marini/ The Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs, Jorida Tabaku, on Monday requested clarifications from the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, regarding the involvement, as she described it, of Albanian diplomats in political activities.
During the committee meeting where the 2025 draft budget was presented, Tabaku stated that Albanian diplomats had participated in political activities organized by the government with political representatives.
Tabaku stated that in at least 48 cases, diplomats have accompanied not only the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs but also mayors in activities.
“All of these were political events. Blendi Klosi attended as the Secretary General of the Socialist Party. There is a clear line that should not be crossed. Diplomatic service representatives cannot take part in political activities, especially when top officials of the Socialist Party are present, because you cross the line when you participate in activities speaking about the opponent for 25 minutes. There have been 48 such cases,” said Tabaku.
In reply, Hasani stated, “We are not in an election campaign, as the campaign will start much later.”
“At no point was there a party or political meeting. They were meetings that the Prime Minister held with representatives of the diaspora in important cities around the world,” said Hasani.
According to him, “No logos, flags, or slogans were used; instead, the discussions focused on Albania, Albanians, the fight against corruption, and the future and benefits we are trying to provide to the citizens.”
At no point was there any discussion of party program components. Diplomats of the Republic of Albania are obligated to accompany their Prime Minister to the events he attends. They did not participate actively, make calls, or carry party slogans or flags; they simply accompanied the Prime Minister, and they acted is in accordance with the state’s ceremonial protocol, which includes even the opposition leader,” said Hasani, while urging that the work of diplomats be respected rather than misinterpreted.
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