On December 13, 2023, in the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Berlin, Germany, Germin held a meeting with a part of the Albanian diaspora community in Germany to discuss their potential contribution to the development of policies in Kosovo, as well as their needs and challenges in connecting and engaging with state institutions.
The opening remarks at this meeting were delivered by Mr. Faruk Ajeti, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Berlin, and Blerta Lazebegu, President of the Organization of Academies and Students of the Albanian Diaspora (OASA) in Berlin. Meanwhile, Lirim Krasniqi, Co-Executive Director at Germin, informed attendees about the purpose of the project “Diaspora for Policy Development.”
During the open discussion, participants shared their opinions and suggestions regarding the strategy and the new law for the diaspora, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora is expected to publish for public consultation soon. Some of the key challenges highlighted during the conversation were obstacles and opportunities for learning the Albanian language outside the country, organizational shortcomings of associations in the diaspora, as well as bureaucratic processes for investments and economic engagement in Kosovo. The registration of the diaspora was another topic discussed in this meeting.
The summary of these discussions and analyses will be further examined and advocated for with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, as well as the relevant Commission of the Kosovo Assembly, to include the voices of the diaspora in the new strategy and law.
