Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha presented from Pogradec the priorities that the government says it will pursue in foreign policy through the end of the year. At the center of his statements were the European Union accession process, regional cooperation and another promise to reform the Foreign Service.
Priorities announced at the government seminar
According to the minister, continuing the EU accession process remains the primary objective and will require a faster pace, clear focus and full diplomatic engagement.
The statements were made during the government seminar in Pogradec, where Hoxha presented the meeting as a moment to analyze priorities beyond the daily routine of institutions.
Promised reform for diplomacy, but no public plan
Ferit Hoxha said that a particular focus will be the continuation of reforming the Foreign Service, with the aim, according to the official version, of creating modern, professional and merit-based diplomacy.
However, the public statement did not disclose concrete measures, deadlines or measurable changes that will accompany this reform, leaving the announcement at the level of general political objectives.
Consular services and the promise of simplification
Along the same lines, the minister said consular services will be further modernized and simplified, with the aim of making them faster, more accessible and more citizen-oriented.
Here too, the announcement is not accompanied by details on how the modernization will be carried out or what specific problems it is intended to solve in practice.
Regional cooperation included in the package of objectives
Hoxha also included strengthening regional cooperation among the priorities, presenting it as a contribution to a more stabilized, more interconnected Western Balkans and one closer to Europe.
In his statement, the minister also linked diplomacy reform to greater impact on the country’s image, stronger links to the economy and trade, as well as more partnerships and concrete results for Albania.
For now, what has been made public remains the list of priorities and political objectives announced by the minister at a government event. What is missing are verifiable details on how the Foreign Service will actually be reformed and what standards will be used to test the promise of merit-based diplomacy.