Working Visit of Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, to Tirana, Republic of Albania, 5-8 September 2023
On 5-8 September 2023, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, paid a working visit to Tirana, Republic of Albania, and had meetings with the President of the Republic, in the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, in the Ministry in Charge for Parliamentary Issues and in the National Academy of Sciences. The Secretary General was accompanied by Ms. Renata Meto, Secretary of the PABSEC Cultural, Educational and Social Affairs Committee.
On 5 September, the PABSEC Secretary General met with H.E. Mr. Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania. The Secretary General informed the President about the current activities of PABSEC during the Anniversary Year. The President of Albania thanked the Secretary General for his visit and expressed support for the activities of the Assembly. The President emphasized the importance of parliamentary cooperation as an important component in the realization of political, economic, and security initiatives in the region.
On 6 September, Mr. Hajiyev met with Ms. Lindita Nikolla, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania. The Secretary General expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to have the meeting and noted the contribution of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania in strengthening cooperation within the PABSEC. Mr. Hajiyev invited the Speaker to pay a working visit to the International Secretariat in Istanbul, as well as to represent the PABSEC in international gatherings. The PABSEC Secretary General also informed about the preparatory work of the PABSEC and the International Secretariat for the 62nd PABSEC General Assembly to be held in November 2023, and passing the PABSEC Presidency from Ukraine to Albania. It was noted that the next General Assembly will be held in Albania in spring 2024.
Ms. Lindita Nikolla, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, underlined the interest of the Republic of Albania in enhancing economic cooperation with the BSEC Member-States and developing common economic projects. The Speaker of the Parliament noted the importance of the active participation of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania in the activities of the PABSEC. Ms. Nikolla expressed support for the activities of the PABSEC and assured that the Albanian Parliament will continue contributing to the activities of the Assembly.
Upon the instruction of the General Assembly, the PABSEC Secretary General awarded the Speaker of the Parliament of Albania with the PABSEC Medal of Honour dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the Assembly, for special contribution to the development of interparliamentary relations in the Black Sea Region.
Mr. Hajiyev met with Ms. Irma Pashkja, Director General of the Foreign Relations Service of the Parliament of Albania. Ms. Pashkja highly appreciated the long-term fruitful cooperation between the Parliament of the Republic of Albania and the PABSEC and assured the Secretary General of further support for the forthcoming activities of the Assembly. Mr. Hajiyev informed about the current and future work of the Parliamentary Assembly and discussed the organisational issues for the 63rd PABSEC General Assembly to be held in Tirana in 2024.
During the meeting with the President of the Academy of Sciences, Academician Skender Gjinushi, the PABSEC Secretary General discussed the prospects for developing cooperation between the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the national academies of sciences of the countries of the Wider Black Sea Region, as well as the possibility of organizing a joint event under the PABSEC auspices.
On 7 September, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, had a meeting with Ms. Elisa Spiropali, Minister in Charge for Parliamentary Issues, and informed her about the activities of the Assembly and the PABSEC Committees under the PABSEC Ukrainian Presidency. The prospects for cooperation in the BSEC region were discussed.
During the meeting with Mr. Namik Dokle, the former Head of the PABSEC Albanian delegation, Special Representative of PABSEC in the GOPAC, Mr. Hajiyev thanked him for his personal contribution in the PABSEC activities. He also informed Mr. Dokle about the current work and forthcoming activities. Mr. Dokle highly appreciated the long-term fruitful cooperation between the Parliament of the Republic of Albania and the PABSEC and assured the Secretary General of further support to the activities of the Assembly.