The handover ceremony of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs position took place at the MEFA premises. After almost two years at the head of this ministry, Gent Cakaj handed over the position of Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs to Olta Xhaçka.
During the ceremony organized with the diplomatic staff, the Acting Minister, Gent Cakaj stated that starting from today he will not be just a political predecessor of Xhaçka, but also her biggest supporter for her to represent Albania with full dignity and brilliance.
“I remain very proud of all the achievements of recent years during the leadership of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, including the strengthening of the Albanian factor in the Western Balkans, especially for the extraordinary work in the Presevo Valley and for speaking up in defense of the Republic of Kosovo in an unprecedented way, the decision to open EU accession talks, the successful chairmanship of the OSCE and the historic approach to take a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for 2022-2023 “, said Cakaj.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Edi Rama thanked Gent Cakaj, who according to him succeeded in his work despite the absurd stalemate when taking over the office. “I am very relieved today that this commitment can be handed over to Olta, being it the best hand-over that we have had not only in full agreement but also with a common approach with Gent. The ministry needs to be headed by a functional leader, not only substantively, but also formally, because from the OSCE chairmanship challenge we successfully overcame, which is a world-renowned fact, we must prepare to succeed until the end”, stated Rama.
Minister Xhaçka thanked Prime Minister Rama for the trust entrusted and praised the contribution of his predecessor, Gent Cakaj for his contribution in the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
“Though great experience is a valuable asset in an institution like this, routine becomes equally a problem when new barriers have to be overcome and new jobs have to be done, such as for instance the work with EU integration. The Chief Negotiator must not take only the responsibilities he has taken, but also the full support from the integration department in this ministry, by being coordinated from him and accountable to him.
I have learned from the Prime Minister that what we do is never enough and that there is always more to improve than to be satisfied with what we have done. Therefore, I strongly believe that this ministry should shine in every direction, because it reflects the Albanian state in the eyes of foreigners and Albanians abroad.
The successful chairmanship of the OSCE is a great lesson about how much we can do if we are properly organized, if we are properly coordinated, if we perform properly. The same should be with the Security Council, where within a year Albania will sit for the first time in its history and as I understand we have no more time to lose but start the preparations to excel in that difficult, subtle and historical mission for Albania in the UN”, stated Minister Xhaçka.