"Albanians from Albania and Kosovo are an asset to the United Kingdom"/ Balla in the House of Lords

2025-11-27 21:09:00, Politikë CNA

"Albanians from Albania and Kosovo are an asset to the United

In the premises of the House of Lords, the lower house of the British Parliament, a reception was organized this Thursday in honor of the contribution of Albanians from Albania and Kosovo to the economic, public, and academic life of the United Kingdom.

At the invitation of Lord Mann, Independent Member of the House of Lords, the reception was organized by the British-Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, the British-Albania Chamber of Commerce and the Albanian Diaspora Business Chamber in the United Kingdom, with the presence of lords, MPs, ambassadors and dozens of compatriots.

Also invited to this event in London was the Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group and the Socialist Party's Political Leader for the Diaspora, Taulant Balla, who delivered a speech of appreciation and gratitude for the Albanian community in the United Kingdom.

Balla brought examples of the presence of Albanians in every sector but focused on the British political debate that, according to Balla, does not highlight this reality. He focused on the British political debate that, according to Balla, does not highlight this reality.

The Chairman of the Socialist Parliamentary Group said that Albanians are, on the whole, net contributors to the British economy, while dependence on public benefits remains minimal and that Albanians from Albania and Kosovo are not a problem to be managed, but they are an asset that should be recognized and valued.

“ The true wealth of a nation lies not only in its territory, but in the productive energy of the people who live and work within it. I am here to recognize and appreciate a community whose work, dedication, and resilience embody the very idea that prosperity is built by people. Recently, the situation of a very small number of Albanian families has been amplified in political discourse, transforming a marginal statistical figure into a much broader narrative.

In a country of tens of millions of inhabitants, these figures remain extremely limited, yet they risk shaping perceptions beyond their real weight. This matters because, when fear begins to prevail over facts and when stereotypes replace evidence, the quality and fairness of public debate are damaged. The facts speak clearly. Over the recent period, close and effective cooperation between Albanian and British institutions has led to a drastic reduction in irregular arrivals from Albania to the United Kingdom. What must always be clearly distinguished is criminal activity on the one hand and law-abiding and honest working communities on the other. Europe is not simply a matter of geography; it is a conscious political choice… the choice for cooperation over confrontation, the rule of law over force, dialogue over conflict and truth over stereotypes ”, Balla said.

Balla concluded his speech with a message to his compatriots.

“Our shared responsibility is to ensure that political discourse remains anchored in reality, responding to fear with facts, demagoguery with dignity, and division with cooperation. In conclusion, I thank you for your contribution, your dedication, and for the bridges you build every day between our societies. Allow me to convey my congratulations on the occasion of Albania's national holidays, moments that remind us of independence, dignity, and a common identity that goes beyond borders ,” said Balla.