The Albanian diaspora issue went to the doors of the British Parliament. At the premises of the highest legislative body of the United Kingdom, Minister Pandeli Majko met yesterday with British MPs, among them the Labor John Grogan, Chairman of the All-Party Friendship Group Albania-Britain, Andrew Francis Slaughter, Martin Vickers, John Whittingdale , Seema Malhotra and others.
Majko told to British parliamentarians that Albanians living abroad have brought Albania closer to the once remote states.Citing the large number of successful Albanians living in Great Britain, Majko said he owed them maximum support. The minister thanked the politicians for their role in creating opportunities for our diaspora there.
Majko praised the support given to the initiatives for the establishment of Albanian schools but sought to enable the involvement of Albanian teachers in the state education system.
"Albanians should be part of the whole", was the comment of the Minister, who emphasized the avoidance isolation or of dual identity.
During the meeting, the MPs questioned the Minister about the Albanian state strategy for the diaspora and the intention to guarantee to them the right of the emigrants to vote.
Majko informed them of the steps taken so far, citing the law on the National Diaspora Agency, the creation of the Sub-Commission on Diaspora and Migration and the State Diaspora Committee. He said they are focused on a strategy for channeling remittances to investments. Regarding the issue of the vote, the Minister said it is an ambitious challenge, considering the large number of Albanians abroad, but added that there is consensus among the political parties on this issue.
He recognized British lawmakers with some of the options that are on the table. Meanwhile, MPs expressed the will to cooperate with Albanian authorities on issues that disturb our community there, also reaffirming UK's full support on the path of Albania's European integration.