25 years of support and collaboration with Swiss Government in Albania

This year marked 25 years since the opening of the Swiss Embassy in September 1992 in Tirana. In the framework of this anniversary, in the Prime Minister’s Open and Dialogue Center took place an event with discussions and greetings from diplomats and governments from both countries.
The event focused on 25 years of Swiss presence and development cooperation in Albania and where Swiss-Albanian relations were very much appreciated. The Swiss ambassador, Mr. Graf highlighted the strong connections between Switzerland and Albania and the progress made in Albania over the years.
The event continued with panel discussions on the achievements and challenges of Swiss Cooperation during these years.
The panel included the former Minister for Urban Development, Mrs. Eglantina Gjermeni, Mayor of Shkodra Municipality, Mrs. Voltana Ademi and UN Permanent Coordinator, Mr. Brian Williams.
In her speech, Mrs. Ademi stressed that Switzerland’s development support program in particular has offered an opportunity to invest in local government as well as supporting the co-operation of citizens with local authorities.
By working directly with municipalities, programs funded by Switzerland has empowered local authorities in:
– development of policies and development strategies;
– in internal management and civil participation;
– in service delivery and financial management; and in new technical and smart solutions for identifying the problems.
For over eight years there was a very good and close collaboration with Shkodra Municipality and for that reason the Mayor thanked the Swiss Embassy in Albania, the Swiss Agency for Development and Collaboration (SDC), the Program for Decentralisation and Local Development (dldp) and the Swiss Implementing Foundation Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation in Albania.