Ambassador Ettore Sequi has left Albania for key Italian foreign ministry post, EU authorities said.
TIRANA, April 5 – Ettore Sequi, the Italian diplomat who had headed the European Union’s presence in Albania, has resigned and left Albania after being offered a key post in the foreign ministry of his native country, EU officials said.
In a statement from the press offices of the High Representative Catherine Ashton and Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, the EU Commission expressed “thanks to Ambassador Sequi for his contribution in bringing Albania closer to the EU.”
Ambassador Sequi had been serving had head of the European Union Delegation in Albania since January 2011. He is to take up a key position in the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. officials said.
Sequi had previously worked for the the italian foreign service as well as EU, the UN missions in in several postings, including in Afghanistan and New York, before heading to Albania.
“He has made a significant contribution in bringing Albania closer to the EU. High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Stefan Fule would like to thank Mr Sequi for his excellent work and wish him every success in his new assignment,” said the statement.
Having served in Albania for three years during a period of stagnation for Albania’s journey toward membership in the EU, due to circumstances outside of his control, Sequi faced a difficult task, says Albert Rakipi of the Albanian Institute for International Studies, adding his personal contribution and hard work were immense nonetheless.
“He is a talented diplomat that will be missed in Albania,” Rakipi said.
