The Executive Director of the Western Balkans Fund, Dr. Murra, opened the “SYNERGY Among Local Governments in Regional Cooperation Conference” with a keynote speech in which he highlighted the crucial role of the local authorities in development of the Western Balkans.
FULL SPEECH OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MURRA, AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY
Honorable Minister Mazniku
Distinguished Ministers from the Western Balkans
Distinguished Mayors,
Distinguished Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Dear representative of WB6 Ministries of Foreign Affairs
Ladies and Gentlemen
It gives me a special pleasure to welcome you all at the opening ceremony of the “SYNERGY” Conference.
Today in this room we have established a unique, wide and powerful coalition of cooperation!
A network of representatives from governments, local elected bodies and civil society organizations, aiming to discuss, share, interact and recommend best practices and resolutions on how to enhance their role in the regional cooperation and European integration processes.
Let me start by expressing heartfelt gratitude to all participants, panelists, moderators, and experts involved in making this event a reality!
Many of them have come a long way to be here in Tirana with us! Thank you very much and enjoy the proceedings and your stay!
Deep appreciation to Prishtina WBF 2025 Chairmanship-in-Office, Ministries of Foreign Affairs of WBF Contracting Parties and their embassies in Tirana, for the partnership and ongoing support towards our activities. (Vana, Pavle, Liridona, Antonela)
Sincere thanks to the Japanese Government and the Japan Embassy to Albania, for their support, and for actively participating at our Conference!
Thank you, Ambassador KIKUKO, and please convey to Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokio our sincere appreciation and the confidence that the cooperation between Japan and Western Balkans Region will only become stronger in the future.
Our appreciation to the International Visegrad Fund, our strategic partner, and the V4 Group Embassies in Tirana for their continued support and encouragement towards WBF work and its mission!
Dear Linda, thank you, and let’s continue exploring new opportunities for sharing the best experiences in both V4 and WB6.
Many thanks to the ReSPA and NALAS for actively participating in and supporting this Conference.
Dear Maja, and Kelmend, confident that our collaboration will continue to grow stronger, for greater impact on our region.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This Conference marks the sixth large-scale event that we have organized together with Japan and IVF.
In the past, we have tackled crucial topics such as: combatting disinformation and fake news, supporting young leaders, and promoting gender equality, in the regional context.
This time, our joint efforts are dedicated towards strengthening local administration and the cooperation among local communities in the Western Balkans.
Throughout our experience and over 300 grants distributed, we have witnessed the crucial role of communities in driving forward the processes of regional cooperation and integration.
It might be true that policies and major decisions are made at the central governmental level. But it is at the community and citizens’ level, where the vision of a space that extends further than national borders encompassing a united region, is realized and implemented, transforming regional cooperation into a reality.
That’s why through this conference, we aim to foster a platform where central and local stakeholders, together with civil society representatives, can exchange ideas, share best practices, and cooperate more effectively.
Our goal is to create a space for networking, for strong, resilient, and forward-thinking, aiming to better engage our communities towards progress and stability across the Western Balkans.
Dear friends,
allow me to invite all participants to take full advantage of this opportunity, to engage, to discuss, and to find innovative solutions aiming at a better future for our region.
We are confident that this Conference will trigger us to open our horizons, grasp new opportunities and contribute towards a better, common future.
Together, we can build stronger, more connected, and more prosperous Western Balkans.
By saying that, allow me to conclude by asking you for a round of applause for the real organizers of this Conference, the members of WBF staff: Dafina, Klevis, Enea, Orgeta, Valbona, and Matilda!
Thank you
