Issue No. 30, January 2017 International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorated in Tirana in a series of events ISSUE No.30, January 2017 • International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorated in Tirana in a series of events • Speech of Minsiter of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati on The Under the auspices of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati and in cooperation with the Holocaust Remebrance Day event Council of Europe and the Municipality of Tirana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a series of events on the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. • Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds the oath-taking ceremony of new To honor all Albanian citizens who risked their lives to save Jews, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in diplomats for the second cooperation with the Municipality of Tirana and the Israeli Embassy in Tirana, inaugurated a park consecutive year named after the "Righteous among the Nations". 75 Albanians have been recognized by Yad Vashem among the "Righteous among the Nations". During the inauguration ceremony, Minister Bushati • Minister Bushati meets with and the Israeli Ambassador in Tirana highlighted the noble gesture of the Albanians in saving Jews Minister of Foreign Affairs of during the dark days of the War World II. Montenegro Srđan Darmanović The event was attended by ministers, representatives of diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana, • Minister Bushati attends meeting parliamentarians, representatives of religious communities and civil society, as well as surviving of Foreign Ministers of the Union family members during the Holocaust. for the Mediterranean countries and holds bilateral meetings In his speech during the ceremony, Minister Bushati emphasized the importance of the historical memory of one of the darkest events of humanity, as the best way to prevent anywhere violation of • Minister Bushati pays official human rights by anyone. He also expressed his appreciation to all those Albanian families who visit to Iran despite maximum risk, witnessed to the world the best Albanian values, sheltering and protecting Jews during the war. Minister Bushati meets with the Italian Undersecretary for Following, the conference "We remember: Promotion of Human Rights through the lens of the Foreign Affairs and Holocaust and Remembrance" was held in collaboration with the University of Tirana. International Cooperation Vincenzo Amendola In his speech, Minister Bushati underscored that the education system remains very important in the prevention of such events and Albania remains committed to the defense of universal values • A consultative meeting on the strenthened in its capacity as member of one of the most important bodies in this regard, the UN draft law "For the protection of Council of Human Rights. "Besa (the promise) given from the Albanians to the Jews not only made national minorities in the possible that not a single Jew in Albania was handed over to the Nazis, but generated an already Republic of Albania" held at the consolidated friendship between our two peoples. We, Albanians, take pride in the sacrifices of our MFA fathers and grandfathers, who although under the threat of death, sheltered the persecuted Jews throughout Europe "- Minister Bushati highlighted. Panelists invited to the conference focused on the importance of education as a solid guarantee for never repeating the tragedy of humanity, and brought historical facts on the contribution of Albanians in rescuing Jews who lived before World War II and those who were sheltered in Albania during the war. Speech of Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati on the Holocaust Remembrance Day event Good morning everyone! Dear professors, Excellency Ambassadors, Dear representatives of the religious communities in Albania, Dear students, The Holocaust Remembrance Day takes on a particular significance which relates not only to the unprecedented inhumane act of a totalitarian regime and ideology, but also to the hope and seal of victory of humanity against evil. Edmund Burke said that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. The prelude of the Holocaust was exactly the passivity and indifference to the extremist policies, coated with the glamorous guise of that populism time. The fraternal bond between Albanians and Jews enabled not only that no Jews in Albania were handed over to the Nazis, but gave new impetus to the already consolidated friendship between our two nations. We Albanians take pride on the sacrifices of our ancestors, who despite being under threat of death welcomed and sheltered the persecuted Jews throughout Europe. Any act of remembrance would be useless, if new generations were not aware that the most efficient way to prevent such unimaginable crimes against humanity is their education and institutional cooperation at international level. The Holocaust and its inconsolable history, is now part of our educational curriculum. In this manner not only we remember what has happened, but we hope to further strengthen our consciousness and protect the future of mankind from repeating of such tragedy. Current events make us aware of the fact that other forms and types of radicalism are emerging in many countries and societies. Attacks over the past year, but also at the beginning of this year in France, Germany, Turkey and other countries show that anti- Semitism and violent extremism are increasing, indicating that anti-Semitism constitutes a threat to democracy, civilization values and security in general. Hence, it is our political and moral commitment to enable younger generations to understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon the consequences as a warning that what happened once can happen again in case we do not all stand determined against prejudice, exclusion, discrimination, religious intolerance and xenophobia. The need for a genuine dialogue and interaction between different religions and cultures continues to occupy an important place in these turbulent times we are going through. The existing lack of dialogue and credibility encourages extremism in its efforts to divide the international community by creating artificial cultural and religious fault-lines. In conclusion, for i know there will be a debate and a discussion between people who have much more than we do to talk about this tragic event, I would like to thank the team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who organized this activity and show my joy that this event, which is commemorated at least officially for the fourth consecutive year, is already becoming a tradition with the participation of other stakeholders, not just institutional or official, because for us nothing is more important than conveying the message to future generations about what happened. As Fr. Zef Pllumi wrote: “When time comes of not being able to do anything, at least live to tell” Thank you! Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds the oath- taking ceremony of new diplomats for the second consecutive year The oath-taking ceremony of the ten new diplomats, which This ceremony was a milestone in the Foreign Service of the represent the "Promotion 2016", was held at the Ministry of Foreign Republic of Albania but also in the new diplomats' career, as such Affairs on 20th January 2017. The ceremony which is foreseen by a career system, regulated by law, offers a continuous promotion law no.23 / 2015 "On Foreign Service of the Republic of Albania" is based on merit. the second to be organized since the return of the tradition created in the origins of this institution. Greeting the ceremony, Minister Bushati among other things stated that: “It is an honor for me to be part of this solemn oath- "Promotion 2016" bears the name of "Rauf Fico" in honor of the taking ceremony of the new diplomats which join the corps of distinguished diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albanian Foreign Service through a competitive admission for the Albania. second consecutive year”. He congratulated the new diplomats and wished successes in their mission of serving the country with In his speech, the Mentor of "Promotion 2016", Prof. Dr. Ksenofon devotion and dedication. At the end of the ceremony, the Krisafi underscored: "You are lucky to be diplomats of a NATO Secretary General of the MFA handed over to the new diplomats member state and represent with dignity our best values and work the "Promotion 2016" oath document. for Albania's membership in the European Union as well". Minister Bushati meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Srđan Darmanović Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati received the Minister of On his behalf, Foreign Minister Darmanović confirmed his Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Srđan Darmanović, who paied a government's commitment to the continuation of intensive visit in Tirana. bilateral cooperation and to Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic integration to the final end of NATO and EU membership. Minister Bushati expressed satisfaction as the first visit of his In this regard, Minister Darmanović thanked Minister Montenegrin counterpart soon after taking office was in Tirana, Bushati for the support that Albania has given to which showed the very close neighboring relations and the Montenegro during the process of accession into NATO. importance that both countries attach to enhancement of their "Albania has supported Montenegro on its path towards cooperation. NATO, considering it a merit-base process and a significant investment for the security of our region," Minister Bushati At meeting with Minister Darmanović, Minister Bushati said. underscored the importance of deepening relations between the two countries both in the bilateral and regional levels as well as in The two ministers dwelt on the geopolitical situation and terms of the common Euro-Atlantic perspective. He highlighted the the latest developments that the Adriatic Europe and the need for the realization of cross-border projects with direct impact Western Balkans are facing today, underscoring the need for on sustainable development and improvement of living standards better coordination in meeting common challenges.