The General Director of Prisons, Klevis Qose, received this Wednesday in an official meeting the Ambassador of Turkey in Tirana, Tayyar Kagan Atay.

The meeting was in the framework of deepening cooperation between the two countries in the field of the penitentiary system and it took place at the premises of the General Directorate of Prisons. It was focused on the concrete possibilities of the Turkish state's engagement in support of the Albanian penitentiary system.

During the meeting, director Qose requested the involvement of Turkish expertise in the fields of training, rehabilitation and integration processes of convicts, as well as special support for the Special Medicine Institution in Lezha, where 480 citizens (patients) who have a court decision with a medical measure are staying.

This constitutes a real challenge for our system,” said Qose, underlining that the needs for improvement and support of this target group are a continuous priority for the system. He also emphasized the need to organize study visits for Albanian prison staff to Turkish counterpart institutions.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador Atay appreciated the hospitality of Director General Klevis Qose and expressed his willingness to contribute with concrete projects in order to strengthen the Albanian penitentiary system. 

“We have an excellent cooperation with Albania, both in the inter-institutional and political levels. I want to confirm that, in my capacity as ambassador, I am ready to support the deepening of cooperation,” said Atay.

He also emphasized the importance of cooperation between Albanian institutions and Turkish ones on issues such as the extradition of Turkish citizens and the exchange of information: “I am grateful to you for all the support you have given to our institution in the extradition processes and for the cooperation in the field of information exchange.”

The Ambassador also announced that the Turkish Minister of Justice is expected to visit Albania in July, where a bilateral agenda will be developed.
This is a very good opportunity for your requests to be conveyed directly to the Turkish side. We will stand by you until they are realized,” said Atay.