Today, the Committee on Foreign Policy reviewed the draft law “On some additions and amendments to law no. 16/2018 “On the Diaspora”, which comes as a proposal of a deputy in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of Albania.

Invited to this draft law was the Minister of State for Diaspora, Mr. Pandeli Majko. Draft law “On some additions and amendments to law no. 16/2018 “On the Diaspora” aims to update it with the latest developments of state structures set up for the Albanian Diaspora. More specifically, in this draft law it is foreseen to add the Center for Studies and Publications for Arbëresh as well as to give the legal definition of the functioning of the State Committee for Diaspora.

During the discussion, Minister Majko proposed some additions to make the Diaspora Law even more complete. His proposals were on Article 5 and Article 9 of this law. Regarding Article 5, Mr. Majko proposed to authorize the minister responsible for the Diaspora to propose to the Council of Ministers the granting of scholarships to foreign citizens of Albanian origin, which is provided in Decision no. 504, dated 24.6.2020 “On the creation of the state database of students who study abroad, and foreign citizens of Albanian origin, who receive scholarships from the Republic of Albania”. Also, Minister Majko proposed an amendment to Article 9, letter d, which provides for the authorization of the Council of Ministers to award national prizes for special contribution to the preservation, strengthening of ties between the country of origin and the Diaspora. The Foreign Affairs Committee approved in principle the draft law as well as the proposals.