Culture Archives - Page 2 of 5

“THE INEXISTENT SEA ISSUE, A GREEK OR ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC INTRIGUE?” BOOK PROMOTION

“ALSAR” Foundation published and inaugurated the book of the renowned diplomat and researcher, Mr. Shaban Murati, also known with the title “Great Master”.

On 27 March 2018, in “Balsha” conference room of Tirana International Hotel, the Educational-Cultural ALSAR (Alternatives of the Future) Foundation inaugurated the renowned diplomat and researcher, Shaban Murati’s book,” The inexistent sea issue, a Greek or Albanian diplomatic intrigue?” published by the Foundation. State institutions and diplomatic corps accredited in our country, historians, professors, lecturers, various field researchers and friends of the author participated attended the activity. The “ALSAR” Foundation’s president, Mr. Mehdi Gurra, opened the ceremony. Afterwards, Prof. Dr. Ksenofon Krisafi, Prof. Dr. Pëllumb Xhufi, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Sokol Sadushi, former ambassador Çlirim Çepani, delivered speeches about the book. The activity concluded with the book’s author, Mr. Shaban Murati’s greeting speech.

The new book, which comes after ten previous books of the author written for diplomacy, Balkan studies, and foreign policy, addresses for the first time in the fullest way the dynamics and the sea issue between Albania and Greece backstage actions, by presenting and analyzing many archived documents, which help in understanding the sea issue genesis and development until our days.

The author elaborates the sea issue as a matter that was artificially created because of the Albanian diplomacy’s incompetence at that time, and because of the Greek diplomacy’s competence to make the sea issue a central problem to the bilateral relationship, even after the annulment of 2009 agreement by the Albanian Constitutional Court. In the book, this issue’s artificial character is argued, by providing convincing scientific arguments that this case has never existed in the history of the bilateral relationship, and that it has been raised upon the wrongful and illegal assumption that the sea borders do not exist.

In the first chapter, the author deals with the haste of Albanian diplomacy for backstage actions for the conclusion of sea agreement with Greece in 2009, which was subject to many historical, diplomatic, legal, and documental violations. In the second chapter, the author deals with the interesting and enigmatic problem of changing the negotiations subject on the side of the Albanian diplomacy, from continental shelf negotiations to sea border determination negotiations. In the third chapter, there is a deep and documented historical analysis for the entire centurial timeframe of Albanian-Greek relationship related to the truth that sea borders have existed and have been recognized by the Greek government. In the fourth chapter, the author analyzes for the first time the entire diplomatic process of the sea issue as an artificial conflict, prevailing the diplomatic relationships and negotiations between the two countries during the last decade.

Being founded on the Constitutional Court of Albania historical decision, the book brings an interpretation and documentation enrichment, which determines the Constitutional Court decision’s unchangeable strategic foundations. Among those foundations, he pays special attention to sea borders existence, illegitimacy of any type of negotiation on sea borders and international courts wrong addressal hypotheses.

In order to fully understand the sea issue and its perspective, the author includes a broad framework of open and unsettled issues in the bilateral relationships, from the Cham issue, to the Vjosa waters issue. The diplomat, Shaban Murati’s new book, which is published at the right time, is a valuable contribution to the Albanian diplomatic opinion, and to the practical diplomatic activity as well, for the academic studies and for the international relations science in Albania.

Having also been a journalist, the author, besides his professionalism in arguments has compiled a book with a comprehensible, nice and communicative style to the readers of all categories, starting from the academics to the common reader.

GREETING SPEECH

Honorable representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in our country!

Honorable state institutions representatives.

Heads of civil society organizations!

Honorable participants, friends and guests!

I would like to greet you on behalf of “Alternatives of the Future” Foundation and I thank you for the honor and respect that you showed with your participation in this activity.

In the framework of its cultural activities, in cooperation with the author, today, we are organizing this ceremony, aiming at supporting and promoting the values and contributions that beneficial our national cause and the Albanian diplomatic opinion.

We feel privileged having cooperated with the renowned diplomat, Mr. Shaban Murati, who is famous for the valuable contributions in the field of diplomacy and publicity, making this book’s publication possible: “THE INEXISTENT SEA ISSUE, A GREEK OR ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC INTRIGUE?”

Honorable Participants!

The sea agreement between Albania and Greece issue has been the subject matter of a heated debate and Albanian public opinion’s keen interest since the signing of this agreement on 27.04.2009.

Later on, this agreement was declared null by the Constitutional Court of Albania, which considered unconstitutional and declared it legally invalid.

The sea issue has been placed again at the forefront of the Albanian and Greek public opinion, because the issue negotiation process has been initiated by both parties.

Considering the sea issue between Albania and Greece as one of the cases that are of utmost importance and national interest, the “ALSAR” Foundation has enabled the publication of (in two languages: Albanian and English) and is promoting today the diplomat and researcher, Shaban Murati’s book, entitled, “The inexistent sea issue, a Greek or Albanian diplomatic intrigue?”

It is the first time that an expert, with a long diplomatic career, in a full study on the diplomatic, political, and historical viewpoint, has analyzed the sea issue as one of the greatest and most complicated contemporary issues between Albania and Greece.

The author analyzes the diplomatic dynamics of sea and negotiations file between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs since the time of 2009 sea agreement until nowadays.

The book is drawn from various documents and references from Albanian National Archives, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Archive and a diverse bibliography on the sea issue topic. The author presents a large number of historical documents, treaties and international agreements that are related to the borders of Albania, so as to prove that the Great Powers have demarcated the sea and land borders as an obligation for both countries since 1913-1926.

For the first time, he as presented documents from the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Archive, which prove that in the previous bilateral agreements on different issues between Albania and Greece, both countries have admitted the existence and recognition of the sea border between them.

The “ALSAR” Foundation is honored by the presence of renowned researchers and experts in the field of diplomacy, jurisprudence and history in this activity, for accepting to give their valuable opinions in regard to the content and values of the book and the importance the arguments it puts forward will have in the Albanian and foreign public and politic opinion understanding.

Much honorable participants!

I would like to grab this opportunity to express our appreciation and gratitude to the valuable contribution offered by the author of the book entitled, “The inexistent sea issue, a Greek or Albanian diplomatic intrigue?”, with which, he put another precious stone in the crown of his publishing activity in the field of diplomacy.

We congratulate and wish further success to the author of this book!

Wishing this activity, a further successful, allow me to declare it open.

Thank you!

AN AWARENESS-RAISING INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE MORE CARE TO THE ELDERLY

Loneliness among the elderly, whose children have immigrated and abandoned them, is part of our times’ drama. This evokes feelings of sadness and stress in them. They probably feel underestimated and useless. The issue does not stand with the individual and what he does for himself, but what the society does to make their elderliness smoother and serene.

The elderly of the asylum in Tirana spent a special and pleasant day during our activity “A meeting of different generations” held in the Retirement Home at “Ali Demi” Street. A cultural and recreational activity organized under the supervision of the wife of the Ambassador of Turkey, Ms. Ayşegül Erdal Yörük, accompanied by the staff of “Alsar” Foundation, staff of the Embassy and volunteering students of the “ALSAR” Foundation, who presented an artistic program for the participants, which united the elderly with the young people in a meeting of generations.

At the end of this activity, the “ALSAR” Foundation donated a TV of huge dimensions (55°) for the dining room, a radio, shower chairs with back and oil heaters for the elderly’s rooms to the “Retirement Home”.

No.	Name of the items donated	Quantity
1.	Tv of huge dimensions (55°) for the dining room	1 pcs
2.	Radio	1 pcs
3.	Shower chairs with back	5 pcs
4.	Oil heaters for the elderly’s rooms	5 pcs

The message that this meeting with the elderly conveyed was that it is illogical for these people who have been integrated in the society throughout their whole life, to be neglected from the community. The elderly are never old; they are the advisers of new generations, if we are willing to listen and spend time with them. We hope that this meeting serves as a much-needed moment for reflection, and as a call addressed to the institutions and society to provide more care to the elderly.

“KOMBIAR CALENDAR” PROMOTED IN PRISTINA”

After being launched in Tirana, the “Kombiar Calendar”, the major contribution of the National Albanian Renaissance, is republished for researchers and readers in Pristina. The inauguration meeting of this journal, written over several years by a group of eminent intellectuals of this period such as, Kristo Luarasi, Kosta Jani Trebicka, Shahin Kolonja and Mit’hat Frashëri as editor in chief. The meeting took place on March 29, 2018, and was organized as a scientific conference per se, wherein many speeches and papers were delivered by researchers of different fields, chiefly of historical and philological areas, and also by the Albanological Institute of Pristina, headed by Prof. Dr. Hysen Matoshi, including the publishing institution, namely “ALSAR” Foundation, headed by Mr. Mehdi Gurra in the role of the event organizer and moderator, whilst the meeting was opened by Prof. Dr. Hysen Matoshi.

The first speech was delivered by the academician Rexhep Qosja, who harped on the great importance that the “Kombiar Calendar” journal had in enlightening the national consciousness for one of the most arduous and glorious periods to the Albanian people, as the National Albanian Renaissance was.

“By publishing the “Kombiar Calendar” in four volumes, you are launching a great work which has grown, ameliorated and enriched the: national consciousness, knowledge, arts, literature, culture, the Albanian civilization and foremostly its cultural ties with many other peoples,” elaborated further the academician Rexhep Qosja. Hence, you have published and you are launching a great work, that is recalling to our dim memory, especially during the last two decades, the name of its first publisher, Kristo Luarasi, its second Publisher, Mit’hat Frashëri, and the name of a number of other political, social, literary, and national activists, who often forgot to take care of themselves by dedicating their entire life to their Nation and their Country, though within the ethnic boundaries,” concluded his speech the honorable professor Qosja.

Prof. Dr. Seit Mansaku spoke further on the work, who focused on the meticulousness that the publishers of “Kombiar Calendar” had had, not only regarding its content, but also its linguistic aspect, by becoming an example of the endeavors to spread the Albanian language, a factor which was of supreme importance to the National Renaissance.

Prof. Dr. Shefkije Islamaj speech centered around the wide scope of the “Kombiar Calendar” announcements that aimed at the Albanian’s cultural and scientific awakening through the Albanian language. Whilst Prof. Dr. Genci Luarasi centered his speech on the journal’s table of contents and the events’ chronology, being depicted in the “Kombiar Calendar” since its first year of publication until 1928.

Last but not the least, the Head of the “ALSAR” Foundation, Mr. Mehdi Gurra, delivered a special speech on the journal’s importance and the impetus that made the Foundation’s board to select and precisely republish this work for Albanian researchers and readers, as a gift in the framework of the 105^thanniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Albania.

“The republication of the “Kombiar Calendar” is wonderful news for the Albanian history and culture, because it recalls the glorious atmosphere of the Albanian National Renaissance period, the struggles of the Albanian patriots, who used to see the war for liberty and independence in the enlightenment of the Albanians’ minds, for knowledge and discoveries throughout the world to be articulated in the Albanian language, and for Albanians to have a national identity and clothing,” concluded Mr. Gurra.

LEGAL AID

In the framework of the cultural and volunteering projects, the Law Department students of “ALSAR” Foundation have commenced the “Days of Legal Aid” activity, aiming to inform the mothers of orphan children about legal rights so that they can profit from their status. This is implemented by offering them free legal aid, mediation, notary and bailiff matters. Furthermore, they highlighted the role of Ombudsperson Office, providing concrete explanations and directions for dealing with specific property or civil issues, in the held sessions.

PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AND ALL YEAR ROUND TOURISM IN ALBANIA

Albania is a place that has all the necessary potentials to become an attractive touristic destination for tourists, as are the natural beauties, cultural inheritance, and hospitality. Tourism is another primary sector for Albania, considering that it is connected directly to the local wellbeing and economic growth. It is seen as the sector that will guarantee stable economic development, ensure employment, and encourage small and large enterprises, greater income and wellbeing for the Albanian citizens.

Given such importance of tourism, the “ALSAR” Foundation has provided its humble support toward a civil society initiative, promoting constant and all year round tourism in Albania. Following this, creating a platform that will contain comprehensive information that ensures the stimulation and growth of tourism in Albania, by providing media space to ensure: touristic information over our country and to be an orientation guide not only for ethnic Albanian regions, but also for the non-Albanian speaker foreign tourists, that aim to list Albanian among tourism destinations.

The sustainable and all year round tourism development which does not include not only visiting the coast during the summer, but also travelling to the mountainous areas of Albania, hence turning attention to mountain tourism, cultural and historical and religious tourism, definitely requires continuous promotion of tourism in Albania and the creation of a platform to enable such promotion.

FESTIVE RECEPTION ON THE OCCASION OF EID AL-FITR

On the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr, “ALSAR” Foundation, arranged a reception ceremony at its premises, where representatives from the local government, various personalities in the field of culture, art, and civil society participated.

The Head of ALSAR Foundation, Mr. Mehdi Gurra, during the ceremony of this festive day that radiates the values of humanitarian solidarity, expressed among other things his gratitude to the representatives of local government for their cooperation in their common mission, to help people in need, stating also that the institution he directs, under the frame of fulfilling its social welfare program, will carry on its activity of modest help-giving and extending a charitable hand, wherever there are people in need, so as to alleviate their economic and social problems.

This is a special day that acts as a reflection opportunity in order to contribute more to a brighter future of the society and the Albanian nation.