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Conference of Ambassadors 13-15 July 2016 AGENDA MINISTRY of FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conference of Ambassadors 13-15 July 2016

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Conference of Ambassadors 13-15 July 2016 AGENDA MINISTRY of FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conference of Ambassadors 13-15 July 2016 AGENDA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conference of Ambassadors 13-15 July 2016 AGENDA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conference of Ambassadors 13-15 July 2016 13 July 19.00 – 19.30 Opening of the Conference of Ambassadors 2016 High Level Segment: Launching of ‘Tirana Initiative’ Tirana Initiative is a high level foreign policy forum initiated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Ditmir Bushati, following the Paris Summit for the Western Balkans. It is an instrument to coordinate regional efforts and concrete steps within the framework of the Berlin process. It will serve as a platform for intense debates on issues related to EU integration, security and interconnectivity in the region. 19.00 - 19.15 Opening remarks, Ditmir Bushati, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania 19.15 - 19.30 Keynote speech, Paolo Gentiloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic 19.30 - 20.30 Welcome reception and photo exhibition Venue: Courtyard of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania 14 July 09.00 - 09.30 Registration of participants 09.30 - 09.45 Keynote speech, Helga Maria Schmid, Secretary General of EEAS 09.45 - 11.00 Panel I - Western Balkans’ integration prospects: Swimming against the tide Recently, the European Union has been facing a serious political, economic and identity crisis. The dramatic outcome of the referendum in the United Kingdom has further hindered this situation. A member state’s withdrawal has casted serious doubts on the future of the EU. Thus, its member states are faced with the urgency to engage in a thorough reflection on Union’s future architecture. As EU’s attention is expected to be almost entirely drawn to its internal dynamics, the risk of shifting priorities at the expense - of the enlargement process in the Western Balkans becomes more tangible. Resetting these priorities may undermine the progress achieved so far in the state consolidation reform processes promoted by the Union in the region. In the framework of the Berlin process, further fostering of regional integration processes in the Western Balkans Six is crucial to address an eventual retrogression of reforms and enhance prosperity in the region. AGENDA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conference of Ambassadors 13-15 July 2016 • Klajda Gjosha, Minister of European Integration • Ana Palacio, Member of the Council of State of Spain • Arta Dade, Head of Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy • Majlinda Bregu, Head of Parliamentary Committee for European Integration and National Council on European Integration • Goran Svilanović, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Moderator: Eleonora Poli, Institute of International Relations (IAI), Italy 11.00 - 11.30 Coffee break 11.30 - 13.00 Panel II - Europe exposed: Filling the gaps of our security architecture In the course of the last few years, European security has faced multiple challenges varying from the refugee crisis to energy security and terrorist attacks. Uncertainties and threats are mainly fuelled by political turmoil in the Middle East, intensification of large-scale terrorist activity, along with Russia’s position and actions. In view of these challenges, European peace has become susceptible, thus hindering the efficiency of international security organizations’ operability. In this security matrix, Albania has been both an anchor of peace and a security provider for the Western Balkans’ stability. Opening remarks: Enver Hoxhaj, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo • Mimi Kodheli, Minister of Defence • Damian Gjiknuri, Minister of Energy and Industry • Ernst Reichel, Germany’s Special Envoy for South East Europe, Turkey and EFTA countries • Sandër Lleshi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Security Issues Moderator: Florian Qehaja, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Security Issues 13.00 - 15.00 Lunch Venue: Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15.00 - 16.30 Panel III - The resurgence of third actors in South-East Europe AGENDA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conference of Ambassadors 13-15 July 2016 At the end of the last century, South East Europe was considered as the most insecure part of our continent. Since the end of the Kosovo war, in 1999, the region has made steady progress, has built a comprehensive and on growing network of regional bilateral and multilateral cooperation and has decisively invested in stronger and irreversible links with Euro-Atlantic institutions. This has certainly increased the interest of traditional and non-traditional actors from outside the region with adequate abilities and potential to influence development pathways. A realistic assessment of opportunities, needs, but also of challenges and threats will help individual countries and the entire region to materialize its development goals. • Selim Belortaja, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs • François Heisbourg, Chair of the Council of the International Institute for Strategic Studies • Andrey Kortunov, Director General of Russian International Affairs Council • John Rendon, CEO, Rendon Group • Sinan Ülgen, Executive Chairman, Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM) Moderator: Remzi Lani, Albanian Media Institute 17.30 - 18.25 Meeting with the Prime Minister, Edi Rama (Closed session for Albanian Ambassadors) Venue: Prime Minister’s office 18.30 - 19.30 Meeting with the Speaker of Parliament, Ilir Meta (Closed session for Albanian Ambassadors) Venue: Parliament 19.30 - 20.30 Reception with the President of the Republic, Bujar Nishani (Closed session for Albanian Ambassadors) Venue: President’s office 15 July 08.30 - 09.00 Registration of participants 09.00 - 10.30 Panel I - Prioritizing development in our region: Growth, governance and human rights AGENDA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conference of Ambassadors 13-15 July 2016 Peace, freedom and stability are strongly interconnected with and interdependent to countries’ economic growth and development. Recently, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals aiming at combating inequalities and promoting citizens’ prosperity. In the context of the Berlin process, the Western Balkans Six are proactively engaged in fostering internal connectivity, development of the regional value chains, along with boosting employment, competitiveness and long-term growth. In line with the national development strategy, Albania pledges to respect human rights, women’s empowerment and offer a real perspective for the youth and their future. • Blendi Klosi, Minister of Social Welfare and Youth • Cihan Sultanoğlu, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Regional Director for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States • Odeta Barbullushi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs • Ellen Goldstein, World Bank Country Director for the Western Balkans Moderator: Gazmend Turdiu, Regional Cooperation Council 10.30 – 10.45 Coffee Break 10.45- 12.15 Panel II - Beyond classic diplomacy The task of promoting a favourable image abroad traditionally lies within cultural diplomacy, as an indispensable tool to ensure stable relations with other countries, thanks to the promotion of cultural life at international level, by means of traditional diplomacy and the growing impact of public and digital diplomacy. The first problem encountered by our cultural diplomacy is how to present Albanian culture abroad, by reconciling national promotion with new needs stemming from globalization and the progress of European integration. In this context, the Albanian communities in the world constitute a multifaceted resource, which has yet to be fully explored and used appropriately to the benefit of the overall development of the country and the empowerment of the Albanian Diaspora. National institutions, and in particular the Foreign Service, are developing an innovative and functional relationship, establishing authentic communication, cooperation and interaction bridges with the Albanian communities worldwide. To the same end, the consular services reform seeks to reposition the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an institution that provides transparent and low cost services to Albanian citizens. In this regard, recent improvements in the legal framework, simplification of practices and modernization of infrastructure have increased the speed and quality of consular services. AGENDA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conference of Ambassadors 13-15 July 2016 Part I: Conversation on public and cultural diplomacy • Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Culture • Ardian Paci, Albanian artist of world contemporary art Part II: Presentation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs products • Halil Hyseni, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs • Eridana Çano, Deputy Chief of Cabinet, Prime Minister’s Office • Donika Hoxha, Director of Public Diplomacy, Partnerships and Diaspora Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12.30 - 13.00 Transportation to Tirana Business Park 13.00 - 15.00 Lunch with Business community in collaboration with the Minister of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship, Milva Ekonomi. (Closed session for Albanian Ambassadors) Venue: Tirana Business Park 15.00 - 15.30 Transportation to Tirana 16.00 - 17.30 Part I: Diplomatic Representation and Consular Services (Closed session for Albanian Ambassadors) • Qirjako Qirko, General Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs(10 min) • Ferit Hoxha, Director General of Political and Strategic Issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (10min) • Gazmend Barbullushi, Director of Consular Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (10min) Part II: Conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conference of Ambassadors.
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