His Excellency Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Germany Visits the ICD House
Berlin Global welcomed H. E. Amb. Skender Xhakaliu to discuss relations between Kosovo and Germany
December 08th, 2014Today, December 8th, Berlin Global was honored to welcome His Excellency Ambassador Skender Xhakaliu to the ICD House to discuss relations between Germany and the Republic of Kosovo and how cultural diplomacy has played a part in strengthening these relations.
H. E. Amb. Skender Xhakaliu
H. E. Amb. Skender Xhakaliu has been the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in the Federal Republic of Germany since June 2012. H. E. Amb. Xhakaliu studied economics and health management and went on to hold various senior positions in the health sector in Germany and the UK from 1992 to 2008. From 2008 to 2011, H. E. Amb. Xhakaliu joined the Kosovo Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and most recently was appointed as the General Secretary of the Ministry. H. E. Amb. Xhakaliu also served as an expert, supporting education reform with the ‘EU Education WAP’ project before entering the diplomatic service of the Republic of Kosovo.
The Embassy
The Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Berlin is only five years old and H. E. Amb. Xhakaliu is the second Ambassador. During H. E. Amb. Xhakaliu’s Berlin Global interview, he discussed his role as Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Berlin. He explained that the Embassy in Berlin has created a fantastic opportunity to link the two countries, not only in order to boost bilateral relations between Germany and Kosovo, but also to strengthen cultural relations and understanding. He explained that cultural diplomacy has played an important role in connecting these two countries. As a means to enhance this cultural understanding, he announced that the Embassy will be holding an art exhibition on December 17th for artists from Kosovo who are living in Germany and also for German artists to enjoy.
Nation Branding
H. E. Amb. Xhakaliu also touched upon Kosovo’s nation branding strategy in his interview. He explained that the Republic of Kosovo focuses on the younger generation in their approach to nation branding in order to alter the image of a war-town country to one of possibilities and opportunities for young people. Their most recent branding campaign was named: ‘Kosovo: The Young Europeans’. He said that Kosovo has also encouraged the younger generation to link with countries across the globe in order to create a wider understanding of the culture and traditions of Kosovo and to open up Kosovo to the world.
1. Skender Xhakaliu, Ambassador of Kosovo and Mark Donfried, Director of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
2. Skender Xhakaliu, Ambassador of Kosovo and Mark Donfried, Director of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
References and Links
- Berlin Global Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNau93oBrns
Berlin Global