Ilir Meta, a prominent figure in Albanian and international politics, brings a wealth of experience and distinguished leadership to the COSCU Regional Advisory Board for Europe. Serving as the President of Albania from 2017 to 2022, Meta played a pivotal role in stabilizing the country’s political landscape and advancing its integration into European structures. His presidency was marked by significant achievements in governance, including the stabilization of macro-economic parameters, improvement of the country’s infrastructure, and successful privatization of strategic economic sectors.
Meta began his political journey in the early 1990s, actively participating in the students’ movement and co-founding the Albanian Euro-socialist Youth Movement (FRESSH). Over the years, he held various senior positions within the Socialist Party, contributing to the establishment of strong international relations with European socialist and social democratic parties. In 2004, he founded the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) and has since been a key political figure, implementing democratic principles such as “one member, one vote” within his party.
His extensive political career includes roles such as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy, and Speaker of the Albanian Parliament.
Meta’s contributions extend beyond Albania, as he has been an influential member of the International Commission on the Balkans and a lecturer at prestigious academic institutions worldwide. His accolades include numerous international awards and honors, recognizing his positive impact on foreign policy, regional stability, and public administration.
Ilir Meta’s commitment to education, international diplomacy, and public service aligns perfectly with COSCU’s mission to drive transformative change in the education sector. His strategic insights and extensive network will be instrumental in advancing COSCU’s initiatives and fostering global collaborations in education.