The Albanian state's relationship with the Diaspora will now be sanctioned by a special law.
After the approval in the Assembly, President Ilir Meta decreed the Law on Diaspora, which protects the rights of Albanian citizens abroad for more active participation in the developments of the home country.The 'Diaspora Law', among other things, aims at defining the rules for the competencies of the state authorities responsible for relations with the Diaspora, the establishment of the Diaspora Coordination Council, the preservation and cultivation of the national, linguistic, cultural and educational identity of the Diaspora members .
Based on this law, the bodies responsible for relations with the Diaspora are the Council of Ministers, the Minister responsible for Diaspora, the National Diaspora Agency and the Cultural Center for Diaspora.
What is the role of each responsible body and how will the work be organized outside the borders?
The Council of Ministers will be the body that will determine the policies of the country of origin for the diaspora and the ways and policies for Albanian citizens living outside the Albanian territory. On his part, the Minister responsible for Diaspora, in this case Pandeli Majko will propose the issuance of regulatory acts and other measures necessary for relations with the Diaspora.
However, the latter will oversee the implementation of the Diaspora Strategy; and will cooperate with the Ministries of Culture and Foreign Affairs for the establishment of cultural centers.
The role of the National Diaspora Agency will enable the engagement of state structures for information and support of the Diaspora. Support will be extended either in terms of organizing a functional diaspora database, as well as in coordinating measures to realize the right of diaspora vote with Albanian citizenship in elections. It is also important to encourage investment or co-ordination of programs for the preservation of Albanian identity and culture.
The cultural centers that will be created to preserve and cultivate the diaspora's national, linguistic, cultural and educational identity will influence the strengthening of its links with Albanian institutions. Also, the Diaspora Coordinating Council, which will consist of 15 members, diaspora representatives will deal with the representation and coordination of Diaspora relations. Part of it will also be the Prime Minister, President and most important Ministers.
With this law is confirmed the will to concretize a stronger institutional relationship between Albania and the Diaspora.