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The First Inter-Parliamentary Forum on the Western Balkans of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE CSCE) concluded yesterday in Tirana. The Forum was attended by parliamentary delegations from the host country, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
Greetings were given by the President of the Albanian Parliament, Ms Lindita Nikolla, the head of the Albanian delegation to the CC. Mr. Damian Gjiknuri and the Vice-Chairman of the OSCE CoC. OSCE Chairperson and Special Representative for South-Eastern Europe Mr. Hatzigianni. Ms Majlnda Dhuka, Deputy Minister of State and Chief Negotiator for Albania's accession negotiations and Ms Clarisse Pasztory, Deputy Head of the OSCE field mission to Albania, participated in the debate as keynote speakers.
In his introductory speech, Mr.Hatzigiannis referred, inter alia, to the challenges facing the Western Balkan countries, which, as he noted, are becoming even more acute due to the current developments on the global geopolitical chessboard. These developments, Hatzigiannis noted, increasingly demonstrate the importance of unity among the Western Balkan countries and of building closer cooperation with the European Union on the basis of common principles and values.
Members of Parliament, Hatzigiannis stressed, should show determination to achieve sustainable peace in the region, inspired by the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. THE C.C. The Cypriot MP pointed out that the OSCE CoC offers the opportunity to take steps forward by establishing good neighbourly relations, exchanging ideas and experiences and coordinating initiatives to accelerate collective progress. The Forum, which is being held for the first time, Hatzigianni stressed, aspires to become an institution within the CC. In her address, the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament referred to the implications of the different speeds of the democratization and European integration processes of the countries of Southeast Europe for stability, peace and security in the region and beyond.
In her address, the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament referred to the implications of the different speeds of the democratization and European integration processes of the countries of Southeast Europe for stability, peace and security in the region and beyond. Democratization, security and Europeanization develop in parallel and support each other, Ms. Nikolla stressed, underlining that the more developed the countries of the region are and the faster the European integration processes are completed, the better they can face threats from both inside and outside.
The head of the Albanian delegation to the C.A.C. The President of the OSCE Delegation of the Albanian Delegation to the OSCE, Mr. Plassnik, referred to the usefulness of the JCC. OSCE and the Forum in strengthening parliamentary cooperation between the Western Balkan countries to address common challenges. Speaking freely, openly and without barriers, Mr. Gjiknuri added, we can express the feelings, aspirations and interests of our citizens so that we can support each other.
The Deputy Minister and Chief Negotiator for Albania's accession negotiations provided detailed information on the government's efforts to make progress on European integration issues and made particular reference to Albania's progress in strengthening the rule of law and the continued implementation of reform in the areas of justice and protection of fundamental rights.
The Deputy Head of the OSCE Fact-Finding Mission to Albania underlined that the region of South-Eastern Europe is becoming increasingly interdependent and it is therefore necessary to address certain issues jointly. In this context, he encouraged participation and active involvement in various bilateral and multilateral fora, such as the OSCE.
In the ensuing discussion, participants exchanged views on the worsening migration flows, the attraction of foreign investment in the Southeast Mediterranean region and the impetus that the European Commission's New Development Plan for the Western Balkans will give to the economies of the countries. They also referred to the contribution of scientific diplomacy in mitigating demographic depopulation and the brain drain from the South East European region.
Finally, the participants of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum agreed on specific activities on issues of common priority, while the Forum concluded its work with the adoption of a Joint Declaration.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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