When Albania Is Absent from the Table It’s Meant to Lead

The Case of EUSAIR Pillar 4 and Albania’s Absence in Georgioupolis

By: Luiza Hoxhaj

📍 Published on: www.detipafund.com

🟦 Editorial Note for International Readers

As Albania aspires to play an active role in regional and European processes—especially in areas like sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, and green development—its absence from key policy-making spaces should raise concern. This reflection is based on my long-term observation of the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy (EUSAIR), particularly from its early programming years. It is not a critique for its own sake, but a call to ensure Albania is not sidelined again in forums where it once fought hard to be taken seriously.

When Albania Is Absent from the Table It’s Meant to Lead

📅 May 3, 2025 – Georgioupolis, Greece.

At the 9th EUSAIR Forum, one of the headline sessions of the event focused on Pillar 4 – Sustainable Tourism, specifically the potential of cultural tourism and the Mediterranean Diet as tools for rural revitalization across the Adriatic-Ionian region. Speakers from Greece, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the European Commission shared national experiences and initiatives.

But one country was notably missing: Albania.
Despite being the co-coordinator of Pillar 4 alongside Croatia, Albania had no official representation in this strategic session—not at the policy level, nor through technical experts, practitioners, or civil society.

Why This Absence Matters

This is not a matter of protocol or calendar conflicts. It is a missed opportunity for Albania in several crucial areas:

• The Mediterranean Diet, recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, is not exclusive to neighboring countries. It is deeply rooted in southern Albania’s culinary traditions—from Labëria to the coast of Vlora, Himara, and Gjirokastra.
• Cultural Routes such as Iter Vitis, Olive Tree Routes, or the Historic Cafés Route, where Albania could and should play a role, are growing international networks for cultural tourism.
• Geographical Indications (GIs)—another key topic in the session—offer real potential for Albania’s unique products, from Përmet wine and Himara olives to Gjirokastra’s famous preserves.

These are not just peripheral issues; they are central to building a sustainable, community-based tourism model in Albania—and to ensuring Albania remains an active contributor to the European Green Deal objectives.

Can This Absence Be Justified?

Some may argue that the upcoming local elections on May 11 absorbed the government’s attention. But these forums don’t require only high-level political figures. Technical experts, local leaders, civil society organizations, and professional associations are more than capable of representing Albania in such spaces.

What Do We Lose When We Are Absent?

1.    Our voice in shaping regional and EU policies.

2.    Visibility for Albania’s best practices and cultural richness.

3.    Opportunities for project partnerships and funding.

4.    Credibility as a regional leader and co-coordinator.

A Moment to Reflect

I recall the early programming phase of EUSAIR (2011–2014), when Albanian presence was minimal and often symbolic. It took a major push from actors like the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, regional representatives from Shkodra, and others, to elevate Albania’s presence to a respected, professional level in regional panels. This progress must not be reversed.

EUSAIR is a long-term process, and there is still time to course-correct. This requires:

• A more robust and inclusive mechanism for representation in strategic international events;
• Better coordination between national institutions and local actors;
• A proactive national agenda that recognizes tourism, cultural routes, and agri-food systems as strategic pillars of sustainable development.

If Albania wants to help shape the future of the Adriatic-Ionian region—and not just be shaped by it—it must be present where decisions are made. For that, institutional, technical, and human presence is not optional—it is essential.

🖋️ Luiza Hoxhaj

🌐 www.detipafund.com

📌 #EUSAIR #SustainableTourism #MediterraneanDiet #CulturalRoutes #AlbaniaInTheRegion #detipafund