*Speech at the annual conference of the European Network of Institutions responsible for the Archives of Secret Police of Eastern and Central Europe (October 3-5, 2025, Tirana).
Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests,
Let me begin by welcoming you to this annual conference of the European Network of Institutions Responsible for the Secret Police Archives of Eastern and Central Europe. It is a great honor for us to have here today the Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs of Albania, Mrs. Klotilda Bushka, as well as the Ambassador of Germany to Albania, Mr. Karl Berger.
Our meeting this year comes at a time when democracy and peace in the world are under threat. In this context, our joint work to give voice to the dark past of persecutory totalitarian regimes takes on vital importance. This is a great responsibility that rests heavily on our shoulders.
Today, we come together at a critical moment when European and Euro-Atlantic values of democracy, freedom, and human rights face significant challenges. Over the years, we have seen how ignorance and denial of the dark past can lead to severe consequences, as is currently happening in Ukraine.
Gathered here today, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to uncover the archives inherited from those regimes. This is not merely a technical matter, but a vital mission to build a culture of remembrance. This culture of remembrance is essential not only for our countries but for the entire world — to put an end to the ignorance of the past and to prevent the recurrence of the darkness of dictatorships.
Në këtë konferencë, ne do të ndajmë me njëri-tjetrin sfidat dhe arritjet tona. Do të diskutojmë mënyrat më efektive për t’i sjellë në dritë ato arkiva, për t’i bërë ato të aksesueshme për publikun dhe për t’i përdorur si mësime të rëndësishme për të ardhmen. Vetëm duke punuar së bashku, duke ndërtuar partneritete të forta dhe duke përkushtuar burimet tona, mund t’i japim drejtësi të vërtetë viktimave dhe të ndërtojmë një të ardhme më të ndritur dhe të drejtë për të gjithë.
This meeting coincides with the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a historic event that paved the way for fundamental changes towards freedom and human rights in our countries. This moment clearly reminds us how fragile democracy is and how important it is to learn from the past in order to protect and strengthen our democratic values.
In this context, I would like to extend a special welcome to the newest member of this network – Ukraine. Ukraine is facing terrible challenges that stem from ignorance and the failure to confront the crimes of a bloody system such as that of the former Soviet Union and Russia.
Let us recommit ourselves to this important mission and begin the work of this conference. Thank you!
*Speech at the Annual Conference of the European Network of Institutions Responsible for the Secret Police Archives of Eastern and Central Europe (October 3-5, 2025, Tirana).