SPEECH OF MAL BERISHA, FORMER AMBASSADOR OF ALBANIA TO THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, 2012 – 2015

SPEECH OF MAL BERISHA, FORMER AMBASSADOR OF ALBANIA TO THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, 2012 – 2015

Tirana, 31 January 2025

Honourable Members of the British Parliament,
Mr. Andrew Rosindell and Mr. Martin Vickers,
Mrs. Philippa Brown, Mr. Pierre Plumbeaju.

 Distinguished friends!

It is a great pleasure and honour to be here today, bringing back fond memories of my time serving in London as the Ambassador of Albania to the United Kingdom from 2012 to 2015. During my tenure, I had the opportunity to serve under two different governments, both the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party. My primary focus was to strengthen the historical ties and connections between the British and Albanian people.

One of my key initiatives in London was to establish meaningful collaborations with renowned institutions such as Oxford University, Cambridge University, the London School of Economics, and UCL. I also played a significant role in organizing a series of cultural and artistic events that showcased the best Albanian artists, not only in the United Kingdom but also from Northern Albania. These initiatives were made possible through the Albanian-British Association, which was founded in 1912 by the esteemed British diplomat and writer, Aubrey Herbert. A significant outcome of this work was the production of ‘Albanian Yada,’ a three-episode documentary dedicated to the work of Sir Noel Malcolm, one of Britain’s most respected historians and philosophers and a distinguished member of the British Academy.

Additionally, I translated works of Benjamin Disraeli, the founder of Conservative ideology in the United Kingdom, into Albanian. Upon concluding my mission in London, I presented a book summarizing the deep historical and cultural ties between Albania and the United Kingdom.

At the time of my departure, Albania had a highly competent British Ambassador, Mr. Nicolas Cannon, who reported to the UK government with fairness and accuracy. However, the situation changed drastically after his tenure. His successors aligned themselves with the Albanian government in a manner that compromised their impartiality, failing to report the reality of the political and economic situation in the country. As my friend Ilda just said, great nations like the United Kingdom often prioritize stability over democracy. Unfortunately, this approach has allowed corruption to thrive unchecked in Albania.

Recent revelations from Albania’s former Deputy Prime Minister, now in exile due to threats to his safety, have exposed widespread corruption. He has disclosed that over €6.5 billion have been embezzled by the current government, while essential public services, such as pensions, remain underfunded. It is no surprise that so many Albanians are fleeing their homeland. Despite Albania’s natural beauty, favorable climate, and abundant resources, the lack of hope and opportunities forces its citizens to seek a better future elsewhere. The current government has systematically eroded trust and crushed aspirations.

The contrast with British democracy is striking. Since I left London, the UK has undergone six prime ministerial transitions, namely, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Sir Keir Starmer, reflecting its vibrant democratic nature. Meanwhile, in Albania, democracy has been undermined by figures such as Tony Blair whom I respect for what he has done for Kosova, but hate for what he has done against Albania, and Alastair Campbell, who have contributed negatively to Albania’s political landscape. Blair’s consulting firm, which has received millions from the Albanian government, raises serious questions about the integrity of these transactions.

Moreover, the role of the British Embassy in Albania has been deeply concerning. Ambassadors such as Alastair King-Smith have failed to report on government corruption and have instead engaged in politically motivated actions against the Albanian opposition. They have collaborated with organizations like the Soros Foundation to manipulate political narratives, targeting opposition leaders without presenting any credible evidence.

Justice reform in Albania, once a beacon of hope, has turned into a catastrophe. The country now operates in a state of lawlessness, where justice is inaccessible to the ordinary citizen. The parallels between King-Smith’s actions and those of Kim Philby, the infamous British double agent who aided the Soviet Union and ultimately enabled Enver Hoxha’s brutal communist regime, are alarming. The misinformation passed through MI6 in the past led to the execution and imprisonment of thousands of anti-communist Albanians. Today, similar misinformation campaigns continue to undermine Albania’s democracy.

Honorable Members of the British Parliament, I urge you to take immediate action. The Conservative Party has historically been a strong ally of Albania, especially during the early days of our democracy under Margaret Thatcher’s leadership. There are two crucial steps that must be taken:

1. Establish a Fact-Finding Mission – Send an impartial delegation to Albania to assess the political and economic situation firsthand. Too often, foreign delegations arriving in Albania are immediately intercepted by government-affiliated individuals who manipulate their perspectives. These officials are taken to luxurious accommodations and provided with distorted narratives that fail to reflect the dire reality faced by the Albanian people. I implore you to ensure that any such mission meets with representatives from all political factions, civil society, and ordinary citizens to compile an accurate report on the situation in Albania.
2. Raise These Issues in the British Parliament – While the Conservative Party is no longer in power, it remains crucial that these concerns are brought to the attention of Parliament. The damage done to Albanian democracy under the previous UK administration must be acknowledged and rectified. The British Embassy in Albania must be held accountable for its actions, and its role should be re-evaluated to ensure that it serves as an impartial representative of the United Kingdom rather than an extension of the current Albanian government.

Albania is on the verge of another election, yet the democratic principles required for a fair electoral process remain absent. The OSCE’s 2021 report on Albania’s elections was damning, highlighting severe violations and irregularities. These issues persist today, and unless decisive action is taken, the upcoming elections will be no different.

The British Parliament must address these concerns, ensuring that the United Kingdom reasserts itself as a champion of democracy and justice. The integrity of British foreign policy in Albania must be restored, and the damage inflicted by past diplomatic failures must be undone.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.