Parliament Speaker Nikolla expressed confidence that Albanian Assembly and the European Parliament will further boost cooperation.

Nikolla also voiced optimism that Albania will speed up its progress on the path towards accession to the European Union.

“Congratulations to Roberta Metsola on her re-election as President of the European Parliament. I am confident that the cooperation between the Assembly of Albania and the European Parliament will become more intense and that Albania advance very quickly towards EU membership,” Nikolla said in her message.

Maltese politician Roberta Metsola was re-elected as president of the European Parliament during the first plenary session of the newly elected parliament earlier today.

Metsola secured 562 votes for a new two and a half years term as the EP President. Her rival, Spanish politician Irene Montero, received 61 votes.

Metsola is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil, a Holocaust survivor, and France’s Nicole Fontaine.

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“The decision is recognition of the progress towards the rule of law, strengthening the democratic institutions, deepening the reforms, progress towards EU integration, contribution to peace and security and leadership in the regional developments,” Parliament Speaker said in a statement via the social media.

After 29 years under full monitoring by PACE since Albania’s membership with this organization in 19995, PACE Monitoring Committee has decided to unanimously support Albania’s transition to a post-monitoring period.

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During the meeting, Speaker Nikolla underscored that Albania highly values the Muslim World League’s contribution as an international humanitarian organization that promotes friendship among people and seeks to expand bridges of dialogue and cooperation with all nations, communities, cultures and civilizations.

“Albanian religious communities and faithful live in harmony, understanding and tolerance and these are among the most precious values ​​of Albania appreciated worldwide. Albania’s religious mosaic is an asset a model of coexistence for all countries. Albania’s Muslim community, a progressive and tolerant community, is a contributor to development, democracy and religious harmony in the country,” Nikolla said.

Muslim World League Secretary General, Dr. Mohamed Abdelkarim Al-Iss underlined that Albania is a great country in terms of religious tolerance, harmony and understanding.

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During the meeting, Parliament Speaker Nikolla underlined that the United States of America is a strategic partner and close friend of Albania and Albanians.

Parliament Speaker Nikolla and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires David Wisner discussed priorities for the new parliamentary session and cooperation to further consolidate democracy, deepen and advance reforms and shared the opinion that improved governance, and especially with regards to justice reform, is critical for Albania efforts to succeed within the Euro-Atlantic community.

In the meantime, the U.S. Embassy in Tirana said that the meeting focused on the new Parliamentary season and reaffirmation that the United States’ support for Albania’s democratic institutions.

“They both agreed that improved governance, and especially with regards to justice reform, is critical for Albania efforts to succeed within the Euro-Atlantic community,” the Embassy said in a release.

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TIRANA, Jan 27 /ATA/ –  The Speaker of the Albanian Assembly Lindita Nikolla attended the event “Besa e Përjetshme” (Eternal Pledge of Honour) on Friday, an event marking the 31^st anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Albania and Israel, hosted under the auspices of the Israeli House organization and the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group.

Albanian lawmakers, members and former members of the Knesset, former Israeli government members, and members of the House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, academics and diplomats attended the event.

The meeting, hosted by the Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, Yehiel (Hilik) Bar, was opened by the chairman of the SP parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, who stated that Albanians stood on the side of the Jews during the worst of times and in the darkest days of the world history.

“As they joined the Anti-Fascist Alliance, Albanians did everything to protect the Jews of Albania and Europe. In the 31st anniversary of diplomatic ties, Albania and Israel have scored significant accomplishments in their bilateral cooperation and are using the potential to further advance and intensify their relations,” Balla said.

The Assembly Speaker Lindita Nikolla delivered the closing speech, underlining that “the Relations between Albanians and Jews are not a state issue, but a dimension of the spiritual relations between our two nations and our two peoples,” Nikolla said.

“In my capacity as Assembly Speaker, as well as an Albanian citizen, I am truly grateful to the previous generations who, with their humanity, faith, broad heart and unparalleled courage, carved us into world history as a small nation, but a great defender of the Jews, as a nation of poor, but that offered spiritual and human wealth for the Jews,” she added.

As two allied states and strategic partners with our great partner, the United States of America – Nikolla went on saying – Albania and Israel are and will continue to be in the forefront of the fight against terrorism, aggression and other forms of violence and attacks on sovereignty and integrity of the nations.

Assembly Speaker stated that Albania is a regional leader in the fight against antisemitism and parliament will provide a precious contribution for the country to successfully accomplish its mission to transform combating antisemitism into a regional issue.

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Commemorating the 24^th anniversary of the Reçak Massacre, Assembly Speaker called for intensification of the unconditional dialogue that would lead to a final accord between Kosovo and Serbia.

“The 24^th anniversary of the Reçak Massacre is a pain day, but also a day of the appeal that the war crimes, atrocities, killings of civilians and the divisions they have created must end.”

Nikolla Nikolla underlines that stepping up unconditional dialogue and reaching a final Kosovo-Serbia agreement is the way towards lasting reconciliation, peace, prosperity and Europeanization of the Western Balkans.

“I appreciate the State Department Counsellor Derek Chollet’s conclusions on the readiness and strong commitment of the government of Kosovo to the dialogue process, which will guarantee Kosovo’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures,” Assembly Speaker said.

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“The challenges lying ahead of Albanians during this century, despite the fact we live in two different states, are common. Albanians also face common projects. Albania and Kosovo as two different political entities of the Albanians in the Balkans and both aspiring the European integration should share the responsibility to materialize the will of the Albanians to transform the state borders between the two countries, but also with the neighboring countries, into formal ones,” Speaker Nikolla said.

In her remarks at the joint session of Albania and Kosovo parliaments on the eve of the National Independence Day, Nikolla said: “This is an unforgettable day when parliaments of both countries come together to celebrate the 110^th National Flag Day, when Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg’s flag was raised in Vlora in 1912 by the founding father Ismail Qemali.”

Speaker Nikolla noted that Albania and Kosovo are two independent, democratic countries and respected allies and friends of the United States of America and the two countries aspire to join the European Union in a very near future.

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“I join Orthodox faithful in their joys celebration of Easter, the day of faith and hope. The power of Resurrection inspires us all. However, its compassion is felt more in days of hardship and for those suffering most,” Nikolla said in her Easter message.

“With faith and love, let us overcome fear and division. With right and good, we defeat injustice and evil. Happy Easter! May you all enjoy good health, prosperity and peace! ” Assembly Speaker Lindita Nikolla said in her message.

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