CID research fellow Ljubica Nedelkoska interviews Minister Pandeli Majko, Minister of Diaspora at the Republic of Albania. The Minister talks about the recently created Diaspora ministry, about the recent efforts Albania has done to engage with its community leaving abroad and the upcoming strategy to strengthen this community’s relationship with the homeland.

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About Minister Majko: Pandeli Majko was born in Tirana on November 15, 1967. He graduated from the University of Tirana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (1986-1992). He also completed his studies at the Faculty of Law at the same university (1994-2000).

Mr. Majko has an extensive political career. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Majko served as President of the Euro-Socialist Youth Forum of Albania (FRESSH). He served two terms as Secretary-General of the Socialist Party of Albania and as Head of its Parliamentary Group. He also held twice the post of Minister of Defense when the Socialist Party was in power. His political career culminated in 1998-1999 when he became Prime Minister of Albania. In 2002, he became once again Prime Minister for eight months. Additionally, he was member of the Parliamentary Committee for drafting of the Albanian Constitution (1997-1998).

Mr. Majko served as a Member of Parliament of Albania for six consecutive terms. He has also served as Chairman of the Albanian delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly as well as member of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Public Administration and Human Rights. Mr. Majko is fluent in English and Italian.