The Embassy of the Republic of Albania and the Clingendael Institute are pleased to invite you to the presentation of Albanian keynote speakers:

H.E. Mr. Ditmir Bushati, Minister of Foreign Affairs    
H.E. Mr. Damian Gjiknuri, Minister of Energy and Industry 

“When is a region a true region: Some Thoughts on the Western Balkans”

“Energy Security: Potentials and Challenges of Natural Resources in Albania”

“Western Balkans”, a term coined by the European Union, refers to a group of countries in South-East Europe that aspire to join the EU. The enlargement pause of the Juncker Commission comes at a time when Europe’s security architecture is being severely tested by the conflict in Ukraine and the terrorist threat of ISIL. Both security challenges have an appreciable impact on the Western Balkans, throwing into sharp relief the differences between the six countries, whether in the security, economic and political domains, and making it difficult to call this corner of South-East Europe a region.

Is there a way out of this quagmire? The Albanian Foreign Minister believes there is, and that the first steps were taken last August in Berlin. The Minister of Energy and Industry will take up this argument, addressing the question of energy security.

Mr. Ron Ton, Director of Clingendael Academy at the Clingendael Institute, will moderate the event as well as questions and answers session.

It is an honour and privilege to invite you to this special occasion, which will be held on Monday 30 March 2015 at the Clingendael Institute (Clingendael 7, The Hague) from 16.00-17.15 hrs. Coffee will be served from 15.30 hrs.
After the lecture you will be invited to a network reception.

If you wish to attend this event, you are kindly requested to register through reply email to Mrs. Carla Veltkamp, cveltkamp@clingendael.nl

We look forward to welcoming you on 30 March at "Huys Clingendael".

Kind regards,

Mr. Ron Ton, Director Clingendael Academy     
H.E. Mrs. Adia Sakiqi, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania