The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, reacted with a message within the framework of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. 

Xhaçka emphasizes that diplomacy is experiencing a successful moment today, while asserting that women have played a decisive role in these achievements. 

"Traditionally, the foreign service has been seen as a field for men, just like the army or the police. I was surprised when I learned from older diplomats that in the past, acceptance into the Albanian Foreign Service was, in a sense, even more difficult for a woman than being accepted into the army or the police. There was no law, no regulation preventing women from having a career in diplomacy. But there was prejudice and there was discrimination. Women were considered weak, without credibility to trust the secrets of the state. Only after the fall of communism, the Albanian Foreign Service finally began to be accessible to women in any sense. Even then, for a long time, there was a lot of resistance and women faced an uphill battle to be accepted. But when I look at the situation today and compare it to this difficult and challenging past, I realize that there is much to celebrate. Albanian diplomacy is experiencing a very successful moment today. Never before has the country been so active and so present in world affairs. 

From its active role in the Western Balkans, in relations with the EU and NATO, in expanding its exchanges with the Middle East and Asia, to its proactive and energetic participation in international organizations and the successful mandate in the Council of Security of the United Nations. The Foreign Service of Albania, in recent years, has done a lot considering its weight, gaining the respect and appreciation of allies and partners. Women have played a crucial role in these achievements. Today, women and girls make up 57% of the Foreign Service of Albania. Albania is represented by female ambassadors in some of its most important missions, from Brussels, to Washington, to the OSCE and many others. By making the Foreign Service more open, Albania has reactivated and revitalized it. This is how the talents available to Albanian diplomacy have been doubled and the Service has been enriched with new ideas. The results are there for all to see. Not only in diplomacy, because what has happened in diplomacy is only part of a much wider effort in Albania to empower women and give them an important role in running the country. From the army to the police, to the administration and of course the parliament and the government, Albanian women are already represented and are making positive changes in all areas of life. This is the reason why, during Albania's Chairmanship of the OSCE and currently in the UN Security Council, we have defined the theme: 'Women, Peace and Security one of our main priorities'. We believe that we have the obligation to share this positive experience with the world, because it has taught us that when women are given a voice, society as a whole benefits", said Xhaçka.