TIRANA, May 25 – For the first time ever, the Albanian capital Tirana will host NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly spring session between May 27 and May 30, 2016.
The session will bring together 260 parliamentarians from 28 NATO member countries as well as delegates from partner countries and observers to discuss current international security issues and the reports prepared by the Assembly’s five committees.
The total number of participants in this important international meeting exceeds 700 people.
Ironically, the meeting will take place at a building built nearly 30 years ago by the Communists to stage their Party congresses.
The decrepit building has been completely revamped for the occasion.
The proceedings of NATO Parliamentary Assembly will be accompanied by tight security measures and the Italia square will be inaccessible for the public except for the 56 participating delegations.
NATO’s parliamentary assembly origins date back to 18 July 1955, while it has borne this official name since July, 1 1999.
A separate entity from NATO, the NATO PA provides a critical forum for its members to discuss an array of Euro-Atlantic security issues and influence decisions related to its future.
It serves as an essential link between NATO and the parliaments of member countries, providing greater transparency and allowing lawmakers and citizens in respective countries to better understand the Alliance policies.
Decades ago, Albania was a member of the Warsaw Pact, before it embarked on an isolationist path. Organizing the event in Tirana goes to show the improved international status of Albania.
Albania became a NATO member on April 1, 2009 after receiving an invitation to join the alliance at the Bucharest Summit the previous year. It has contributed in several peacekeeping missions, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
