DR. BARDHYL CANAJ

Dr. Bardhyl Canaj
Date of Birth: 29/08/1959

POSITION
From 28 September 2023
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Albania in the Republic of Serbia

WORK EXPERIENCE

Political and Diplomatic Experience

• October 21, 2015 – 20 August 2023
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Albania in the State of Israel
• 2013 – 2015
  Director of the Economic Department at the Embassy of Israel in Albania
• 2006 – 2012
  Honorary Consul of Israel in Albania
• 2002 – 2006
  Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania.
  • Member of the working group for the drafting of the Foreign Policy Priorities of the Republic of Albania.
  • Member of the working group for the drafting and definition of the Platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Kosova and Western Balkans.
  • Negotiator and participant in the delegation for the restoration of diplomatic relations between Albania and (former) Yugoslav Federation.
  • Participant in the working group and the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the discussions in Washington on Kosova and Western Balkans, after the war.
• 2001 – 2002
  Advisor to the Minister of State for the Integration of Albania.
  • Member of the working group for the S.E.E.C.P (Southeast European Cooperation Process) session in Tirana.
• 1999 – 2001
  Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Albania
• 1988 – 1991
  First Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Egypt
• 1986 – 1988
  Diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania
• 1982 – 1988
  Professor at the University of Tirana, Faculty of Philosophy

Business Experience

• 1992 – 2012
  Executive Director, Pharmaceutical Company “RIO-FARMA”
  • Executive Director and Co-Owner
  • Establishing relationships with pharmaceutical firms such as: B.M.S (USA), TEVA (Israel), UPSA (France), BOOTS (Britain), Medochemie (Cyprus), Lek-Sandoz Slovenia

EDUCATION

• 1987 – 2002
  Doctorate in Political Science, University of Tirana
• 1986 – 1988
  Master of Science, University of Tirana
• 1979 – 1982
  Faculty of Philosophy, University of Tirana

PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE

• Mother tongue: Albanian language
• Other languages: English (C2), Italian (C2)
• Levels: A1/2: Basic user – B1/2: Independent user – C1/2 Proficient user
• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• Communication Skills: Very good communication skills.
• Organization / managerial knowledge. Developing skills as a negotiator in diplomacy and the business sector. Good managerial and strategic skills in launching new business.
• Job-related knowledge: External expert and advisor on external and integration issues. Studies and analyzes on the issue of Kosova, relations in the region, the USA, the UN, the Middle East, Turkey-Greece relations, US-Iraq relations, Annan’s Plan for Cyprus, etc.
• Computer Knowledge: Very good use of the Microsoft Office package
• Driving license: Driving license for category B vehicles.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Publications and Presentations

• Conferences and Seminars
• Published articles: Albania’s foreign policy, events in the Balkans, the case of Kosova, terrorism, the new American strategy after September 11, 2011, Middle East issues, etc. Over 50 published articles, opinions, and interviews in the daily press (Koha Jonë, Shekulli, GazetaShqiptare), several magazines and Radio Tirana.
• Lectures at the Soros Foundation on foreign policy with young journalists. (Subjects related to the developments in the Balkans, the events in Kosova, and the American Strategy in the Middle East and in Iraq.)