TIRANA, February 9 /ATA/ Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Elisa Spiropali presented today the draft law on the Foreign Service in the Republic of Albania.
According to her, the draft law opens a fresh chapter for the Albanian diplomatic system.
During the presentations to the Committee for Europe and Foreign Affairs, as well as to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration, Spiropali emphasized that this is a law for European integration while our country is making rapid progress with EU membership negotiations.
The minister highlighted the concrete benefits that the proposed changes bring for everyone: starting from Albanian citizens at home and abroad, to civil society, business, diplomats and the institutions themselves.
Thus, the level of protection of the citizens’ rights abroad increases. Likewise, the new law significantly improves the efficiency of the consular service, said Spiropali.
Regarding diplomats, Spiropali said that, “The new law strengthens their status, improves the financial treatment of diplomats on duty and their families, establishes a clearer career system and strengthens the principle of meritocracy”.
“In the inter-institutional aspect, the draft law creates the basis for a much more effective coordination between state institutions, so that Albania’s voice in the international arena is stronger, more coordinated and more coherent”, said Spiropali.
The minister said that a cornerstone of the reform is the restructuring of the Diplomatic Academy.
Spiropali also announced opening of the system for appointments outside the diplomatic career, but only for individuals with a prominent international career, including experts and professionals who have served in international public organizations.
For the first time, a structured advocacy framework has been established to facilitate foreign business entry while supporting the international expansion of local enterprises, said Spiropali.
She concluded by saying that another important innovation is the creation of economic offices and cultural centers attached to the diplomatic missions. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./
