The flag of Albania … very New Labour. Photograph: Getty Images
Age: In its present form, 100. It was formed by
the Treaty of London in July 1913, which freed it from the Ottoman yoke
after many centuries.
How many centuries? Oh, I don't know. This Wikipedia entry is enormous.
Bit of a sketchy peg for a Pass notes – an anniversary three months ago. It is inspired by some BREAKING NEWS.
Go on. Tony Blair has just been appointed Albania's special adviser.
I hope that means he plans to live there. Unlikely at present, but he will be setting up an office in the capital, Tirana.
Sounds pricey. Mr Blair's services do not come cheap. You are being unduly cynical. He is not being paid, and the office will be financed by unnamed international organisations.
What's in it for Blair? Protection of his legacy. Albania is the only country where New Labour is still in vogue. A modernising New Labour government under former basketball player Edi Rama was elected in the summer, with the help of Blair's old ally at Number 10, Alastair Campbell. "Edi looks on New Labour as one of the success stories of the centre-left in Europe of our lifetime," says Campbell.
And why do they want the man himself on board? They think he can help get Albania into the EU.
What does Blair say? "I'd love to see this country join the family of European nations."
Marvellous. They must adore him. Indeed. He has been a hero ever since he supported the Albanians in Kosovo in one of his early and more successful wars. There are apparently numerous children in Tirana called Toniblir.
How sweet. Perhaps he could become president. Quite possibly. The country is very anglophile and is reputed to have offered the throne to the cricketer CB Fry in the 1920s.
Not to be confused with: JP Morgan Chase, Zurich Financial Services, the government of Kazakhstan, or any of Tony Blair's 467 other clients.
Do say: "Gezohem qe te takova". ("Pleased to meet you" in Albanian).
Don't say: "Nigel Farage ka dëgjuar se Shqipëria mund të bashkohet me BE-në?" ("Has Nigel Farage heard that Albania might be joining the EU?")
How many centuries? Oh, I don't know. This Wikipedia entry is enormous.
Bit of a sketchy peg for a Pass notes – an anniversary three months ago. It is inspired by some BREAKING NEWS.
Go on. Tony Blair has just been appointed Albania's special adviser.
I hope that means he plans to live there. Unlikely at present, but he will be setting up an office in the capital, Tirana.
Sounds pricey. Mr Blair's services do not come cheap. You are being unduly cynical. He is not being paid, and the office will be financed by unnamed international organisations.
What's in it for Blair? Protection of his legacy. Albania is the only country where New Labour is still in vogue. A modernising New Labour government under former basketball player Edi Rama was elected in the summer, with the help of Blair's old ally at Number 10, Alastair Campbell. "Edi looks on New Labour as one of the success stories of the centre-left in Europe of our lifetime," says Campbell.
And why do they want the man himself on board? They think he can help get Albania into the EU.
What does Blair say? "I'd love to see this country join the family of European nations."
Marvellous. They must adore him. Indeed. He has been a hero ever since he supported the Albanians in Kosovo in one of his early and more successful wars. There are apparently numerous children in Tirana called Toniblir.
How sweet. Perhaps he could become president. Quite possibly. The country is very anglophile and is reputed to have offered the throne to the cricketer CB Fry in the 1920s.
Not to be confused with: JP Morgan Chase, Zurich Financial Services, the government of Kazakhstan, or any of Tony Blair's 467 other clients.
Do say: "Gezohem qe te takova". ("Pleased to meet you" in Albanian).
Don't say: "Nigel Farage ka dëgjuar se Shqipëria mund të bashkohet me BE-në?" ("Has Nigel Farage heard that Albania might be joining the EU?")
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