A LEAD Fellow in His Father’s Footsteps

By Rudina Hoxha

"I am most grateful to the Lead Albania Program and the AADF for offering me the possibility to sit for one year as an Advisor in the Cabinet of the Chief Negotiator and consequently being able to witness first-hand the opening of accession negotiations with the European Union.”

That’s how the conversation with Donjet Gjoka, one of the 11 Fellows of Class 2022 of LEAD Albania Program, starts with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

This is one of the many benefits of this program for Donjet who, this way, had the chance to contribute to one of the biggest aspirations of the Albanian people – the EU Integration Process. Along with his other co-fellows from LEAD Albania Class 2022, led by the Project Manager of LEAD Albania Program, Mrs. Elvana Kurti, Gjoka had a study visit to some of the EU institutions in Brussels. “Each of our fellows were deeply involved in all issues of interests, by asking questions, sharing views and opinions with the EU officials on Albania’s membership to the European Union. I think the study visit in Brussels was a great success. We all got to know the EU and its institutions much more,” Donjet said.

Impacted since a young boy by the profession of his father, a diplomat of career, Donjet reassures today that LEAD Albania Program is a life-changing experience. “I think that whoever decides to apply for the LEAD Albania Program must make full use of this endeavour. It is one year full of life experiences and possibilities.”

1. Thanks to being a Lead Albania Fellow, you experienced the most historical moment of Albania: the opening of accession negotiations. How did it feel to sit as negotiator on some of the chapters for your country?

It truly is a historical milestone for our country. June has been exceptionally intensive since we were all eyes and ears in Brussels, Sofia and Skopje. As I

recall, the events which occurred in end of June – beginning of July, I can easily say that we felt like we were sitting in a rollercoaster, until we actually sat down at the First Intergovernmental Conference on July 19th. Initially, our team was quite optimistic regarding a positive decision from EU Member States by the end of June in the margins of the EU - Western Balkan’s summit. However, after the government of Bulgaria faced a non-confidence vote, our hopes seemed to vanish. It could happen that the next “possible” date would be by the end of Czech Presidency. However, in the meantime, we were getting some positive signals regarding an updated version of the so called “French proposal”. As we later witnessed the negotiations turned out to be very successful and what happened afterwards, it is history.

I remember I couldn’t refrain my enthusiasm, with my family members, my colleagues and friends. The Albanian citizens have been waiting for this moment for such a long time and I knew very well the weight of this event. Even-though there was good reason to celebrate, we are all aware that the workload ahead of us is even more challenging to what we have experienced so far. Until the end of next year, we will undergo the screening phase for all chapters. A very demanding process which will set the pace of the accession negotiations.

I am most grateful to the Lead Albania Program and the AADF for offering me the opportunity to sit for one year as an Advisor in the Cabinet of the Chief Negotiator and consequently being able to witness firsthand the opening of accession negotiations with the European Union. Along the way I have learned tremendously as well as I have been able to fully contribute to one of the biggest aspirations of the Albanian people – the EU Integration process.

Additionally, I would like to sincerely thank the former Chief Negotiator, Mr. Zef Mazi for his unwavering support in the 10 months’ time I had the privilege to working with him. For the record, we were able to organize a meeting with him and the LEAD Albania

fellows at the premises of the Prime Minister’s Office where we conducted an open discussion regarding the EU integration process and Albania’s prospects in this direction.

2. Before this big news came for Albania, you and your colleagues from LEAD Albania Class 2022, led by the Project Manager of LEAD Albania Program, Mrs. Elvana Kurti, had a study visit to some of the EU institutions in Brussels. Can you tell us more about the meetings you had there and the experience you shared? How have the fellows reacted to these visits?

In mid-June our group travelled to Brussels where we conducted a series of meetings with EU officials: at the Commission, in various DG’s, the EU Parliament and the Albanian Mission to EU. As the visit took place in June you can imagine our very high expectations for the First IGC. I recall this issue emerged in each and every interaction we had. At most of the meetings, we met officials who were covering the Western Balkans or Albania directly. A good number of reports on Albania we address to the EU Commission are actually processed by the EU Commission representatives we met during our stay in Brussels. This is a very important basis since they knew our country very well within their field of expertise and mostly, they had been covering Albania or Western Balkan’s for a long time. Our conversations were very open and professionally oriented, which created a warm environment of discussion. Our group met their interests within their field of expertise in order to make full use of the study visit. We conducted a fruitful meeting with the Albanian Ambassador to EU, Ms. Suela Janina, with whom we had a very interesting exchange regarding the work of the Albanian Mission to EU on the

integration path.

Each of our fellows were deeply involved in all issues of interests, by asking questions, sharing views and opinions with the EU officials on Albania’s membership to the European Union. I think the study visit in Brussels was a great success. We all got to know the EU and its institutions much more.

3. What was the most valuable takeaway from this experience and how did it impact you in particular for your actual position as Advisor to the Chief Negotiator’s Office?

I believe it is highly important to sign your identity behind an e-mail address. Most of our communications and exchanges are done via e-mail. I believe the study visit to Brussels contributed in establishing direct contacts with fellow EU officials. We obtained several first-hand

recommendations from them and how they perceived our progress made so far. On the other hand, our conversations weren’t a one-way direction. The Fellows had the chance to share the latest developments from the respective institutions and discussed possible ways of collaboration in various projects or initiatives with the EU Commission.

My biggest take-away from our study visit in the Commission and in the EU Parliament was that they were convinced on the Albania’s reforms towards EU’s integration, and that Albania has fierce supporters in the EU institutions regarding this process. I believe that this is a very important fact, since usually these are the people who review our progress and draft the recommendations. And what is important, we will work very closely with the Commission experts for the next year throughout the screening process for all chapters.

4. Tell us about the experience as advisor to the Chief Negotiator for Albania Accession to EU. How can you describe this experience and how accountable do you feel in this position? What are you most excited about in this new role?

Officially, the Lead Albania Program kicked off on November 1 st 2021. This is the day when all fellows initiated their journey in their respective institutions. Working in the public administration is not a new experience for me. I have previously held several positions at the Ministry of Interior as well as in the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism. In both these positions among others, I have been dealing with Chapters 24 and 31 in different capacities. I have been part of the Interinstitutional Working Groups for European Integration which are considered as the backbone of the integration process.

The EU Integration process stretches over all areas of life, divided into 33 Chapters and 2 Criteria. This implies that the number of institutions and public officials involved is vast. I must admit that coordinating and monitoring this process is quite challenging. The Cabinet of the Chief

Negotiator has been involved in-depth with the respective chapters. Among my daily duties is the monitoring and reporting on the achievements of 6 specific chapters of the acquis, which are: chapter 10 (Information Society and Media), 13 (Fisheries), 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights), 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security), 30 (External Relations), 31 (Foreign, Security and Defence Policy). I have had a very fruitful cooperation and coordination with all lead institutions responsible for the aforementioned chapters.

Throughout my 10-month tenure at the Chief Negotiator’s Office I have benefited from the full support of my colleagues. Without their backing, mentorship and collaboration it would have been very difficult for me to integrate myself into the new work environment and what is important, to perform.

5. Being the son of a career diplomat, how much has been helpful for you to make this assignment professionally and efficiently?

My father is a career diplomat at the

Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania and has served as Ambassador to 9 countries of Europe, as in the Republic of Poland, in the Baltics, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, but resident in Warsaw and later on in Moscow. I remember I have visited the MFA several times when I was still 5-7 years old, and was always fascinated by the work my father used to make as a diplomat, which later was amplified especially in Warsaw and Moscow. I could percept myself the real diplomacy in action through various kind of receptions, gatherings and activities promoting Albania. This is the main reason why I chose to pursue my studies in international relations and diplomacy.

There is also a saying which goes that the diplomats are the last living nomads. During my young age I had to change more than 12 schools and learn new languages, cultures, methodologies etc. Needless to say, that it was quite challenging however the benefits were numerous, at personal and professional level, as well. Even-though I am not a diplomat by profession, my first go-to dossier or where I always feel more comfortable is external relations. I think it is a trait that I have cultivated consciously and unconsciously. I am truly grateful I had the possibility to spend my childhood and youth in these countries as part of the diplomatic corps. I think these experiences have shaped me to what I am today. I consider myself quite fortunate to have had the possibility to learn under the guidance of a career diplomat throughout my life.

6. What was your motivation to apply to the LEAD Albania Program? Can you provide an overview of engagements/ works you have done in the context of the LEAD Albania Program?

To be honest I had been following closely and attentively the LEAD Albania Program since 2018. I have had the opportunity to meet some of the LEAD Alumni along the years and was always fascinated by their positive impressions of the program. After some researches I made at the time, I was convinced that it truly is the most elite leadership program in Albania.

The LEAD Albania Program besides providing us with the possibility to influence and contribute at the top policy-making levels of our country, it also builds the much-needed leadership skills we all must be equipped with. The individual progress of each fellow, is at the heart of the Program. We have undergone a proper leadership school from the Centre for Creative Leadership (CCL) with a distinctive personality and trainer in this field Ms. Rebecca Fanger. Thanks to the mild Covid restrictions our group was able to physically attend the two courses of the Harvard Kennedy School in Boston, US. Myself and 5 other fellows attended the course on Negotiations Strategies. A top-level course carefully designed by some of the best professors in this field.

Apart from the work at the host institution and the capacity building component I believe that the true power of the LEAD Albania Program remains in the bonds we create with each-other as fellows and our community as a whole. Next year LEAD Albania Program will reach to about around 100 Alumni. But it doesn’t end here. Right this year, the LEAD Albania Program will finally reach 100 alumni. In order to answer straight to your question, I think it is high time to establish a LEAD Alumni Network. I am part of a working group with some other Alumniinitiators for this initiative and hopefully we will be able to put this gem in the wall of this historic year. We all are beyond excited by this initiative which will serve as a powerful tool to engage, contribute, for the Alumni by the Alumni.

7. In closing, please provide a message to the current and prospect LEAD Albania Fellows.

It is a life-changing experience. I think that whoever decides to apply for the LEAD Albania Program must make full use of this endeavor. It is one year full of life experiences and possibilities.

8. If some spare time remains for you, what fills that in?

For some time now my life is split between Albania and France since a part of my family lives and works abroad. Therefore, traveling is an activity I practice frequently but also enjoy. I like to fill my spare time by reading interesting and relaxing books, too. Lately I have pushed myself into the world of gardening. Still as an amateur though, however with patience and determination, I shall have my own garden soon and, of course, its produce.