The Albanian political and international relations world has lost a prominent figure. At the age of 78, Bashkim Zeneli, former parliamentarian, essayist, and diplomat, has passed away. According to public broadcaster RTSH, his death occurred inside a hospital facility located outside national borders.

Zeneli was among the first intellectuals to take part in the initiatives of the Socialist Party, actively participating in the institutional changes that affected the country after 1991. Elected member of parliament for two terms, he also held the institutional role of deputy chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy.

A broad portion of his career was dedicated to international diplomatic activity. Indeed, Zeneli led the Albanian embassy in Germany between 1998 and 2002, engaging in bilateral relations and the Kosovo issue, before carrying out the role of ambassador to Greece from 2002 to 2005 to protect the Albanian community.

For his activity in the service of the state, in 2018 he received the title of Grand Master from then Head of State Ilir Meta. An honorary citizen of Athens and awarded various honors, he was also the author of publications on bilateral relations, including the volume dedicated to ties with Greece.