London, May 2013. Anthony Bailey Consulting have been hired to organise a visit to London of HE Mr Lulzim Basha, Mayor of Tirana from 22-24 May 2014.
Mayor Basha is a prominent figure in Albanian politics having served as both Foreign Minister and Minister of the Interior. Trained as a lawyer, he is seen as an influential reformer of the State thus helping to ensure that Albania not only modernises but meets the criteria for forthcoming membership of the European Union.
On the morning of 23 May 2014, Mr Basha met with Rt Hon the Lord Mayor, Alderman Roger Gifford, and was granted the Freedom of the City of London in a ceremony held at Mansion House in London.
The Mayor later attended a luncheon held in his honour at the historic Vintners’ Hall with over 100 personalities attending. This luncheon took place to mark the Centenary of the Independence of Albania and celebrated the growing importance of the economic and political ties which now exist between the United Kingdom and Albania and especially between the City of London and Tirana.
Among those attending were the Ambassadors of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, El Salvador, Kosovo, Lithuania, Montenegro, Slovenia, the Deputy Mayor of London Cllr Lady Victoria Borwick, Prince Louis Doimi de Frankopan, Lord and Lady Belhaven & Stenton, Lord and Lady Bates of Langbaurgh, Lord Watson of Richmond, Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley, Dr John Smail, members of Common Council , Sir David and Lady Durie, Mrs Aurela Basha, Mr William Chapman, Professor Scarlett Epstein and other members of the British-Albanian community and organisations.
Later in the day, the Mayor held meetings with Jill Morris, Director of Europe of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Philippa Broom, Director of the International Office of the Conservative Party. During the evening, the Mayor attended a concert at St Paul’s Cathedral and a dinner hosted by the Lord Mayor of the City of London at the Guildhall. Other attendees were HE The President of the Republic of Croatia and Rt Hon David Lidington, MP, Minister of State for Europe and Mr Mario Draghi, Chairman of the European Central Bank.
To watch videos from the Mayor of Tirana’s visit, please visit our Video Gallery.
To read Anthony Bailey’s speech during the luncheon click here
To learn more about the Mayor of Tirana’s office please click here.
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