As part of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Albanian Community in Greece (formerly the Federation of Albanian Associations in Greece), a conference on the history, challenges, and achievements of the Albanian community in Greece over nearly 35 years was held at the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Athens. The event was organized by the Albanian Community in Greece, led by Mrs. Rovena Xhori, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Greece, the Greek Forum of Migrants, and the Athens Municipality Council for the Integration of Immigrants and Refugees (Δήμος Αθηναίων).

In her welcoming speech, the Ambassador of Albania to Greece, Mrs. Luela Hajdaraga, emphasized that this anniversary marks not only a moment of reflection on past challenges and sacrifices but also a moment of pride for the achievements of the Albanian community. She highlighted that since the early 1990s, the community has demonstrated commitment and continuous contributions, building strong bridges between the two cultures and making a valuable contribution to Greek society.

“Protecting and promoting the rights of the Albanian community in Greece remains a priority for the Albanian Embassy in Athens. It is essential that we continue working together to ensure the rights and well-being of every member of this community,” emphasized Mrs. Hajdaraga. Finally, she expressed gratitude to the founders, former presidents, and members of this organization over the years for their invaluable contributions.

The conference brought together distinguished personalities such as:

• Mr. Dimitris Christopoulos, Dean of the Department of Political Science at Panteion University;
• Mr. Vasilis Chronopoulos, lawyer and expert on immigration issues;
• Mrs. Antigoni Limberaki, Professor in the Department of Economic Sciences at Panteion University;
• Mr. Apostolos Kapsalis, expert at the Labor Institute of GSEE;
• Mr. Enri Hysenbelliu, Vice President of the Albanian Community in Greece for the Second Generation.

With Mrs. Erjona Balasi as the moderator, discussions focused on the daily issues affecting the Albanian community in Greece, their integration efforts, and the challenges they face, including residence permits, social issues, pensions, and obtaining Greek citizenship.