Speaker Ruçi appreciated Ambassador Hasani for his contribution towards strengthening Albania-Kosovo cooperation.

Ruçi underlined that “Albania will continue supporting Kosovo to face the today’s and future challenges.”

“The European Union is the only future destination for both Kosovo and Serbia. It is an encouraging fact that the United States and the EU share same position on the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. Kosovo has all the reasons and the potential to be a more reliable partner than Serbia with the United States and the European Union. Therefore, unification of the national and political position of all institutions and political forces is necessary,” Ruçi said.

The outgoing Kosovo Ambassador expressed gratitude to Speaker of Parliament Gramoz Ruçi for the political, institutional and personal support for the challenges Kosovo faces today, voicing confidence that Albania and the Albanian Parliament will be always on Kosovo’s side.

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Chairman of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group Taulant Balla, and the Albanian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Ermal Dredha attended the meeting.

Parliament Speaker Ruçi praised the excellent cooperation between Albania and the United Arab Emirates, underlining that friendship and political ties are being “translated” into a growing economic cooperation between the two countries.

“The $2-billion investment in Durres port is an important aspect of this cooperation, which is set to expand further to sectors like energy, agriculture, and hydric resources,” he said.

Ruçi also expressed gratitude for the United Arab Emirates assistance under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit Albania on November 26, 2019.

The United Arab Emirates provided 3.2 million euros in pledges and supported construction of 2000 housing units for the quake-affected families in Albania.

Albania – Ruçi went on saying – is also grateful to the United Arab Emirates for the assistance to cope with the pandemic.

Under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, more than seven metric tonnes of medical equipment and 7000 medical protective clothing were provided to help Albania cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ruçi also expressed gratitude to Obaid Al Hairi Salem Al Ketbi for his contribution to Kosovo’s liberation while serving as the commander of the United Arab Emirates’ mission in Kukes and Kosovo.

On his part, Obaid Al Hairi Salem Al Ketbi thanked Parliament Speaker Ruçi for the cordial and warm reception, and praised the bilateral ties underlining that it is time for the economic and trade cooperation further expand between the two countries.

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Levy emphasized that this year, which marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries is one more opportunity to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation.

“I highly appreciate the strong inter-parliamentary cooperation, which promotes and facilitates cooperation between our countries and peoples. International cooperation and partnership are more important than ever in the face of today’s challenges to humanity. Therefore, I wish you that the cooperation between the Knesset of the State of Israel and the Assembly of Albania should be deepened and expanded.

This year, which marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, represents one more opportunity to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation,” the newly elected Speaker of the Israeli Parliament, Mickey Levy said. //a.i/

“Eid al-Adha is the day of spiritual growth, forgiveness and unity. It is a day of meditation. Let the reflections of every believer unite and merge into the reflections of society and the political class, and push everyone to work harder for a better Albania”, said Ruçi.

“Albania is grateful to the Muslim community and all believers, because Albanian Muslims are among the most progressive communities of 1.5 billion Muslim believers of the world,” Ruçi continued his message.

Ruçi emphasized that, “Albanian Muslims are a religious, humane, tolerant and progressive community, dedicated to coexistence, peace and social justice, committed to the fight against poverty, inequality and hardships of life.”

“Muslim traditions are an added value of the culture, civilization and humanism of Albanians. Muslim believers have shared with all Albanian believers and citizens the sacrifices, responsibilities and contributions for the advancement of Albania, the increase of welfare, the elevation of the values ​​of Albanians, for peace, justice, equality and dignity of all citizens”, said Ruçi.

“We are deeply grateful for the support that the Muslim community and believers have given to believers and all citizens to survive the pandemic. Today is the day for all of us to enjoy and may you always have joy in your families “, concluded Speaker of the Assembly Gramoz Ruçi./p.s./

“We are coming to the second summit, about a year and a half after the first summit. During this time, Albania and North Macedonia deserved and took the decision of the European Council to open negotiations. But for reasons that do not depend on us, we have not yet received the date of the First Intergovernmental Roundtable”, said Ruçi.

“On behalf of the Albanian Parliament, I would like to thank the Croatian, German and Portuguese Presidencies of the EU, which kept the acceleration of the integration of the Western Balkans at the top of their priorities. But, I cannot but regret that the speed of integration is slowing down for reasons that have nothing to do with us, but with the awakening of passions or other inertia of the past in the Balkans,” said Ruçi./p.s./

“On behalf of the Assembly of Albania and on my personal behalf, please accept my best and sincerest congratulations on your election as Speaker of Parliament (Knesset) of the State of Israel and wish every success in your honoured position,” Ruçi said in his message.

“I avail myself of the opportunity to express readiness to bring new dynamics to the cooperation between our two parliaments and further development of the excellent relations between the Albanian and Jewish people. I want to express readiness and willingness of the Assembly of Albania to closely work with You in the future for the benefit of further strengthening the bilateral relations between our countries,” Speaker of the Assembly Gramoz Ruçi said in his message.

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President of the European Affairs Committee Luís Capoulas Santos was also present at the Conference.

President Ruçi praised the contribution of the Portuguese Presidency in promoting the integration of the Western Balkans.

“The Portuguese presidency has kept the issue of enlargement at the top of its agenda. The decision of the European Council, in March 2020, to open membership negotiations with Albania has paved the way for the next step in Albania’s path towards the EU, that of the first inter-governmental conference. In June 2020, the Albanian government approved and launched the implementation of the Action Plan to meet the requirements of the Council conclusions of March 2020. Based on implementation of the Action Plan, considerable progress has been made and the requirements for the Intergovernmental Conference have been met,” said Ruçi.

He stressed that “Albania is grateful for the strong and visible support to our country and North Macedonia.”

Ruçi noted the concrete achievements of Albania in the process of European integration, which has served as an impetus for the democratization of Albania, the consolidation of institutions and especially for the strengthening of the rule of law.

Albania, he said, “has successfully maintained the positive trend of continuous development in all areas related to European integration.”

“Albania carried out electoral reform and has made further and visible progress with implementation of justice reform. Considerable work has been done in terms of the vetting process. The Constitutional Court has regained its quorum and its full functioning. The Supreme Court has become functional. The fight against corruption has been intensified by consolidating operational coordination and monitoring capacities. Other tangible results have been achieved in the fight against organized crime”, said Ruçi.

He stressed that, “Albania hopes that the Council will be able to quickly approve the negotiating framework and set the date for the first Intergovernmental Conference. This will serve to move further towards deeper and more comprehensive reforms and to become a tool to better meet all membership criteria,” said Ruçi.

The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues said that, “Portugal has been and will be a supporter of Albania’s accession to the European family”.

The Chairman of the European Affairs Committee Luís Capoulas Santos said that he has closely followed Albania’s progress in achieving the integration objectives and Portugal is clear and determined to support Albania in holding the First Inter-governmental Roundtable as soon as possible.

“In Portugal, there is a broad consensus of Parliament, Government and political forces on this. Albania is a country worthy of joining the EU as soon as possible,” he added. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

The top Socialist official said there could be no better moment that the 30^th anniversary of the SP foundation to announce retirement from all political functions.

“I chose this day as there could be no better moment than the 30^th anniversary, now that we won the third term, and given that I will turn 70 in few months, to announce the decision that starting September 9, when the new legislature beings, I will not exercise the mandate given to me by the Socialists and I will not have the ambition to be in any elected body of my family which has given me some much throughout these 30 years. I thank all my collaborators, whom I had the opportunity to work with and I want to apologize to all those who believe that during these 30 years I have not met the objectives,” Ruçi said in his message to the Congress.

Gramoz Ruçi has served as Speaker of the Assembly during its last legislature. He has also been serving as the Socialist Party’s Secretary General since 2005.

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“On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic, on behalf of the Assembly of Albania and on my own behalf, I send my sincere and heartfelt congratulations. On this day, on June 2, 1946, a national referendum, which founded the Italian Republic, was a milestone historic event for the friendly Italy, democratic system, political and social development and the future of the Italian people. Italy has been and remains a neighbouring country, a precious friend and a very important strategic partner of Albania. The strong friendship binding our two nations and people has withstood the challenges of times. This friendship is nurtured by the presence of the Arbëresh community and emigrants who settled in Italy after 1990’s, who serve as bridges of friendship and contribute to the well-being of their families, but also to the development of Italy and Albania,” Ruçi said in his letter.

“I avail myself of this opportunity to express my and the Assembly of Albania gratitude for Italy’s continues support, its distinguished role and contribution as an advocate of Albania’s European integration,” Assembly Speaker said in his message.

“We are confident Italy will continue to support Albania’s bid to hold the first Intergovernmental Conference as soon as possible, as well as the negotiation phase. It is my conviction that the very successful relations and cooperation between the Albanian Assembly and the Italian Chamber of Deputies, recently limited by the Covid-19 pandemic, will resume very soon,” Ruçi concluded.

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“Albania is grateful to Italy as the best friend, supporter and advocate of Albania during the transition and we hope it will continue to do so for the start of first intergovernmental conference as soon as possible,” Ruçi said.

On his part, Ambassador Bucci thanked Assembly Speaker for the warm reception and noted that Albania must usher in a new phase of eased political tensions after the April 25 parliamentary elections, so that the country meets the important challenges ahead, emerging from the pandemic, economic recovery and the progress on EU accession negotiations.

“The Joint Economic Committee between the two countries will hold its first meeting this summer to discuss ways to boost Italian investments in Albania. Italy will soon disburse its pledge of 95 million euros to help Albania cope with the aftermath of the November 26 earthquake,” Italian diplomat said.

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