It-Tlettax-Il Leġiżlatura Pl 2543
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IT-TLETTAX-IL LEĠIŻLATURA P.L. 2543 Dokument imqiegħed fuq il-Mejda tal-Kamra tad-Deputati fis-Seduta Numru 169 tad-19 ta’ Novembru 2018 mill-Ispeaker, l-Onor. Anġlu Farrugia. ___________________________ Raymond Scicluna Skrivan tal-Kamra Second Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace 15 - 16 November 2018 Tirana, Albania Hon Anglu Farrugia, Speaker Hon Glenn Bedingfield, MP Parliamentary Delegation Report to the House of Representatives. Date: 14th -17th November 2018 Venue: Tirana, Albania r Maltese delegation: Honourable Anglu Farrugia, President of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta Honourable Glenn Bedingfield, Government Member Ms Karen Mama, Research Analyst, House of Representatives Programme: At the invitation of the President of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, Honourable Taulant Balla, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta, the Honourable Anglu Farrugia, participated at the Second Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, plenary session, which was held at the House of Representatives, Parliament of Albania, in Tirana. Report prepared by the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta. Between Thursday 15U1 of November and Friday the 16th of November, I led a parliamentary delegation to the 2nd Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace. The meeting took place in Tirana, Albania and included the participation of over 30 countries from across the globe. I was invited to give one of the opening speeches and together with President Al-Jarwan to sign the declaration establishing the foundation of the IPTP. The other members of the delegation were Honourable Glenn Bedingfield from the Government side and Ms Karen Mamo, Research Analyst. Hon. Bedingfield is also member of the International Affairs Committee of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) and participated to the Committee meeting. The 2nd session was spread over two days and came to a conclusion on Friday evening with a meeting with Mayor of Tirana Mr Erion Veliaj. On this special occasion, the Mayor of Tirana presented the Key of Tirana to the President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, H.E. Ahmed bin Mohammed AI Jarwan. Later during the evening, President Al-Jarwan and myself signed a declaration confirming the establishment of the IPTP back in Malta in July 2018. On Thursday 15U,, my delegation held meetings with the Speaker of the House of Albania, H. E. Gramoz Rw;i, and also with the President of the Republic of Albania, H. E. Ilir Meta. The main topics were of course the close collaboration between the two countries, especially with regard to parliamentary relations, where I recalled that during March of this year, when H.E. Meta came to Malta on an Official Visit, I highlighted the importance to establish a Joint Parliamentary Friendship Group between Albania and Malta. The Speaker of the House and His Excellency the President of the Republic Meta, acknowledged that both parliaments should speed up interactions and set this newly formed group into action. Opportunities for trade and commerce were discussed during the meetings with both the Speaker and the President of the Albanian Republic. Th areas covered focused on: medical tourism, the financial services, the energy sector, sports and cultural corporation. The discussion also addressed Albania's accession to the European Union. I reiterated Malta's support for Albania's EU aspirations, which started in 2009 and were officially recognised by the EU in 2014. I underlined that the current agenda for l enlargement by way of accession will be opened only after the European Parliament elections, (June 2019). Honourable Glenn Bedingfield, participated also in the meetings that took place during the day also of the 15th of November 2018. On Friday 16U1 November, I addressed the plenary session as one of the main Speakers, immediately after the Albanian Vice Prime Minister, Her Excellency Senida Mesi, and after the presentation of the Speech by the President of Albania and the Speaker of the House of Albania. DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR182434 14.11.2018 PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker Farrugia to participate in the second session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace [ Speaker of the House of Representatives Anglu Farrugia left Malta for Tirana, Albania, to participate in the second session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, which was inaugurated r in Malta last July. Member of Parliament Glenn Bedingfield- the nominated member ofthe Maltese Parliament to the r International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace- is accompanying the Speaker. The second session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace will be held at the House of Representatives, Parliament of Albania, between the 15th and 16th November 2018. l l l [ Attachments: none Page: 1 of1 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) 2200 1700 Fax +(356) 2200 1775 [email protected] www.doi.gov.mt DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR182437 15.11.2018 PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker Anglu Farrugia meets Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Gramoz Ru9i \ Speaker Anglu Farrugia met the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Gramoz Ruyi for the first time and discussed avenues for further cooperation. Speaker Farrugia mentioned the excellent relations between Malta and Albania and recalled the state visit made by the President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca in February 2016 as well as the more recent visit by a business delegation. Speaker r Farrugia highlighted that Malta and Albania have various opportunities on the horizon and said that the current momentum should be maintained. On this note, the Speaker welcomed the recently [ established Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group and recognised that this will further facilitate cooperation and opportunities for the two countries. [ Speaker Farrugia also stated that Malta will continue to support the accession of Albania to the EU and looks forward to more countries recognising the importance of the Balkan States joining the single market and being fully participant in the EU's four freedoms, that is the freedoms of movement, goods, services and capital. As it has already done in previous years, Malta will continue to push forward the importance of dialogue with neighbouring countries, especially towards the east and south. The Speaker went on to say that there can be no peace and prosperity in Europe ifthere is no peace and prosperity in neighbouring regions such as the Balkans and the Mediterranean. The Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Gramoz Ruyi expressed positive remarks with regard to the possibility of strengthening cooperation between the two countries and mentioned the Parliamentary Friendship Group as an excellent tool to bring into fruition a more productive relationship. He thanked Malta for its participation and commitment to promote tolerance and peace and recognised the importance of sustaining closer cooperation with a country that has always had positive remarks about Albania. He further explained that accession to the EU is very important for Albania, especially the younger generations, and went on to say that he welcomed Malta's support. Speaker Farrugia is currently participating in the 2nd session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace in Tirana, Albania, between the 15th and the 16th ofNovember and is also holding a number of high-level meetings. The Speaker is accompanied by MP Glenn Bedingfield, a member of the International Affairs Committee of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace. Attachments: photos Page: 1oft 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VL T 2000 Tel +(356) 2200 1700 Fax +(356) 2200 1775 [email protected] www.doi.gov.mt r [ r [ f r [ ! l DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR 182442 16.11.2018 PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker Farrugia meets President of the Republic of Albania Ilir Meta and addresses the 2"d session ofthe International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace Speaker of the House of Representatives Angelo Farrugia had a bilateral meeting yesterday with President of the Republic of Albania Ilir Meta. Speaker Farrugia welcomed the excellent relations ( between the two countries and reaffirmed Malta's commitment to support the accession of Albania to the European Union. He highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, acting as the basis for strong cooperation at a commercial level. The Speaker explained that Malta is currently [ experiencing a boom in its economy and excelling in various sectors such as healthcare, education, and tourism. The Albanian President thanked the Speaker for the excellent relations between both countries and r the two parliaments, particularly since the recent establishment of a parliamentary friendship group would further consolidate cooperation between the two institutions. Meta welcomed the recent visits held by business organisations in both countries and augured that the parliamentary friendship group acts as a spring board to speed up the establishment of concrete investment and business opportunities in Albania and Malta. The Speaker also addressed the members of Parliament present for the 2nd session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace