Gazmend Turdiu took office as Secretary General of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in July 2022. He joined the diplomatic service in 1992 and held several positions, both in Albania and abroad. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Turdiu held the positions of Director of the Department for Euro Atlantic Cooperation (1998-2000), Director of the Department of Europe (2003), Director General for Legal and Consular Affairs (2008-2009), Director of Regional Affairs and Neighbouring Countries (2019-2021), and Director of the Directorate for the Security Council (2021 – 2022). Mr Turdiu was Ambassador of Albania in Bern, Switzerland (1992-1997), Ambassador of Albania in Berlin, Germany (2003-2008), and Deputy Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, a regional organization based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (2013-2019). Also, he has been Albanian Governor at the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (2009), Chief negotiator in the process of Schengen visa liberalisation for Albanian citizens (2009-2010), President of the 10th Meeting of the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention (2010-2011) and member of the Council of Foundation of the Geneva Centre for Humanitarian Demining (2010 to 2013).