- Lulzim Basha
Lulzim Basha (born 1974) is an
Albania n lawyer and politician who is the currentForeign Minister ofAlbania . He was appointed Foreign Minister on25 April 2007 by Prime MinisterSali Berisha replacingBesnik Mustafaj .Early career
Lulzim Basha studied law at
Utrecht University in theNetherlands and worked for theInternational Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia . While working there he contributed to the file against formerYugoslav presidentSlobodan Milosevic . He later worked for theUnited Nations inKosovo before entering politics in Albania.cite web| url = http://kosovareport.blogspot.com/2005/09/albania-pins-its-hopes-on-youthful.html | title = Albania pins its hopes on youthful government | accessdate = 2007-12-24 | date =2005-09-08 | work =Reuters | publisher = "Kosovareport"]Political career
Basha joined the
Democratic Party of Albania in January 2005 and became a member of the Presidency of the party in May of that year. He was a spokesman for the party during the 2005 parliamentary elections at which he was elected to theParliament of Albania . After the election he became Minister of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications from 2005 to 2007 until he was appointed Foreign Minister in 2007.cite web| url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/25/europe/EU-GEN-Albania-Government-Reshuffle.php | title = Albanian premier replaces foreign minister | accessdate = 2007-12-24 | date =2007-04-25 | publisher = "International Herald Tribune "]In October 2007 the Chief Prosecutor of Albania
Theodhori Sollaku asked the parliament to lift Basha's immunity from prosecution so he could begin an investigation into possible corruption and abuse of power charges. This was in regard to the awarding of a highway construction contract to a American-Turkish joint venture.cite web| url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/15/europe/EU-GEN-Albania-Ministers-Immunity.php| title = Albania's foreign minister could face prosecution; parliament asked to lift immunity | accessdate = 2007-12-24 | date =2007-10-15 | publisher = "International Herald Tribune "] Basha said that the charges were politically motivated and Parliament refused to lift his immunity.cite web| url = http://www.b92.net/eng/news/globe-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=09&dd=18&nav_category=123&nav_id=43858| title = Albanian deputy minister arrested | accessdate = 2007-12-24 | date =2007-09-18 | publisher = "B92 "] Theodhori Sollaku was removed as Chief Prosecutor by Parliament in November for not tacklingorganised crime and releasing prisoners early.cite web| url = http://rfe.rferl.org/newsline/2007/11/4-SEE/see-271107.asp?po=y| title = ALBANIA APPOINTS NEW PROSECUTOR, JUSTICE MINISTER | accessdate = 2007-12-24 | date =2007-11-27 | publisher = "Radio Free Europe "]References
External links
* [http://www.mfa.gov.al/english/ministri.asp Mr. Lulzim Basha:Curriculum Vitae]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
