On Monday, November 2, tributes will be held in honor of diplomat, former MP and publicist Bashkim Zeneli, who passed away at the age of 78. The funeral ceremony will take place next to the Plenary Session Hall of the Parliament of Albania, from 11:00 to 13:00. Family members, friends, colleagues, representatives of institutions and personalities from political and public life will have the opportunity to pay their last respects and honor his memory.
Following the tributes, the funeral procession will head to the Sharra cemetery, where Bashkim Zeneli will be laid to his final resting place.
Zeneli left behind a long career in journalism, politics and diplomacy. He served as Albania’s ambassador to Germany and Greece, was a member of parliament, and was one of the early intellectuals of the Socialist Party. In 2018, then-President Ilir Meta honored him with the title “Great Master” for his contribution to foreign policy, journalism and the national cause.
Who was Bashkim Zeneli?
Bashkim Zeneli, the diplomat, former MP and publicist, devoted a large part of his life to public service, politics and Albanian diplomacy. A law graduate, Zeneli first worked as a German-language translator before turning to journalism and the analysis of foreign policy. After 1991, he became involved in politics, serving as secretary for foreign relations in the Socialist Party.
He was elected a member of the Parliament of Albania for two legislatures and also served as deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy. His diplomatic career included two of the most important posts representing Albania abroad. Zeneli served as Albania’s ambassador to Germany during 1998–2002 and then to Greece during 2002–2005. During his diplomatic mission in Germany, he was particularly engaged in the Kosovo issue and in strengthening Albanian-German relations. In Greece, his work focused on developing bilateral relations and supporting the Albanian community living there.
His contribution was also recognized with several awards and decorations. In 2018, then-President Ilir Meta honored him with the title “Great Master”. Zeneli was also recognized in Germany for his diplomatic contribution, was named “Honorary Citizen” of Athens, and received the Gold Medal “Zgalemi i Lirisë”. His diplomatic experience and the relations between Albania and Greece were also reflected in his book “Miqësi e trazuar” (“A Troubled Friendship”), in which he addressed the developments and challenges of Albanian-Greek relations. Through his engagement in journalism, politics, parliament and diplomacy, Bashkim Zeneli left behind a long career in service to institutions and the representation of Albania.