TIRANA, April 14 – The Fourth Diaspora Summit continued at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. Officials highlighted the role of Albanians abroad in national development and European integration. Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi described the gathering as important for Albania’s EU path.
At the opening of his address, he said the summit marked a key step toward EU membership. In addition, he said Albania had gained international prestige as a promoter of peace and security. He also stated that the country stood on the right side of history during regional change.
Meanwhile, he referred to Albanians across the region, including Kosova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and the Presheva Valley. He said they supported the Europeanisation of the Western Balkans. This position, he added, strengthened regional alignment with EU values.
Turning to the diaspora, he described Albanians abroad as a global success model. He said they no longer supported only families, but also contributed to host country development. As a result, he said they had become active actors in democratic and economic systems.
From that perspective, he said diaspora communities functioned as partners in development processes. In addition, he noted their contribution to host societies through professional skills and social engagement. He added that this role increased their international relevance.
Furthermore, he cited World Bank group data. It placed Albania 30th among 172 countries in remittances’ share of GDP. He used this to underline the financial impact of diaspora transfers.
However, he stressed that contributions went beyond remittances. He pointed to human capital, education, expertise, and cultural influence. These, he said, strengthened Albania’s long-term development capacity.
Finally, he concluded that the diaspora had shifted from survival support to a structural development partner.
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