TIRANA, April 24 – Former Minister for European Integration and Democratic Party (DP) MP Majlinda Bregu shared on Monday news that she will be serving as Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), starting in 2019.
The RCC is part of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) — a symbol of the common will of the countries of the region to improve cooperation among themselves.
The foreign ministers sitting at the SEECP council appoint the Secretary General.
Bregu, the only candidate for Albania, was competing with Montenegrin politician Igor Luksic, who used to be Montenegro’s prime minister for two years and foreign minister for four more.
In this context, Bregu’s appointment for the position was the result of negotiations and an achieved consensus between official Tirana and Podgorica, as Luksic will be her replacer once her mandate ends in 2021.
The consecutive leadership came as a result of both candidates’ excellent qualities, as reported on the RCC official website, where the news were first posted.
The decision was taken during the SEECP’s foreign ministers meeting in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia. The meeting also discussed developments in the regional cooperation within the RCC framework and the challenges that lie ahead of the organization.
Secretary General Goran Svilanovic congratulated both Bregu and Luksic for their future positions, wishing them every success. He also expressed willingness to assist the RCC’s future Secretary General during the transition period so that a smooth transfer of duties ensues.
Bregu is the first Albanian to be appointed a leading position in an international organization including representatives from 45 different countries and a number of institutions.
Through a Facebook post, Bregu expressed her gratitude towards all local, regional and international actors who were convinced she would be a great fit for the position and a win for Albania and Albanians.
“I am honored to be the first Albanian in such a high executive position of an organization with a mission to strengthen and increase cooperation within South East European countries,” Bregu wrote.
In addition, she ‘friendly’ thanked the country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati.
“We are divided by our differing political convictions, but united by our common European approach and the effort to work in Albania’s advantage,” her Facebook post read.
The RCC replaced the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) in 2008 and aims “to promote cooperation and Euro-Atlantic integration in South East Europe.
Its main activities focus in five main areas: socio-economic development, energy and infrastructure, justice and internal issues, cooperation in the field of security, human capital formation and parliamentary cooperation.
Bregu has separated her stand from her former DP in many occasions as she is a chief rival of the party’s current leader Lulzim Basha.
Opposition-friendly media indicated she was being helped by the Socialist government as payback for hurting her former party. It is a charge both Bregu and Prime Minister Edi Rama deny.
