Belgian MP Michel De Maegd welcomes Marjana Koçeku to Parliament: Albania must move toward modernization and European integration

Albanian independent MP Marjana Koçeku was received at Belgium’s Federal Parliament by MP Michel De Maegd, with whom she discussed deepening cooperation between the two countries and Albania’s European perspective.

During the conversation, De Maegd said that Koçeku had broken away from the Albanian prime minister’s party because of deep dissatisfaction with the way it was governing, the lack of transparency and the repression of civic protests.

According to him, as an independent MP, Koçeku aims to represent the voice of civil society in the effort to build a modern Albania that distances itself from corruption.

The Belgian MP described the opening of a Belgian embassy in Tirana as an important development for strengthening relations and expanding bilateral cooperation.

He also stressed that European Union enlargement is a key factor for security and that Belgium will continue to support fundamental reforms in Albania.

Koçeku posted photographs from the meeting on Facebook and expressed her appreciation for Michel De Maegd, whom she considers an early and strong supporter of the Albanian cause. She recalled that the Belgian MP had also been in Kosovo during the war.

“For these two days, I have been in Brussels, officially invited by the Belgian Parliament. I feel honored that I held my first meeting with MP Michel De Maegd.

I have a special respect for Mr. De Maegd, as he has been an unwavering supporter of the Albanian cause since his youth, particularly during 1998-1999, when he reported as a journalist from the war in Kosovo.

During the meeting, we shared common views on Albania’s path toward the EU and discussed at length the need for a full resolution of the Kosovo issue on the international stage. In this regard, he has a special role, particularly in Belgian politics.

At the end, he also showed me some photographs taken during the war, which I am pleased to share with you,” Koçeku wrote.