TIRANA, February 19/ATA/ Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Elisa Spiropali spoke today in the Parliamentary session in the Assembly about the draft law on the foreign service in the Republic of Albania.
In response to views of opposition MPs who claim that 90% of the appointments in Albanian diplomacy are nepotistic, Spiropali said that this draft law regulates the mandate of the head of mission and the consular post, as well as the diplomatic personnel.
According to Spiropali, the draft law on the diplomatic service improves the professional criteria and those for career diplomats based on their academic levels.
“For the first time, we are introducing the concept of creating a diplomatic academy as an affiliated institution that will deal with the professional growth of diplomats within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This law more clearly defines the inclusion of diplomatic and consular missions outside the diplomatic career. Only 25% of diplomats are outside the career system, that is, non-career diplomats. The draft law enables admission into the foreign service of experienced citizens in foreign organizations and ensures verification of integrity of foreign personnel”, said Spiropali.
Minister Spiropali stated that this creates a much more rational situation also in the issue of ranks awarded in the diplomatic service and strengthens the criteria and deadlines. /e.i/j.p/p.s./
