Kujtim Xhani

Kujtim Xhani (born 29 August 1955) is a former Albanian diplomat. He served in various roles within Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as an ambassador, including postings in Asia.

Early life and education

Xhani was born in Tirana, Albania. He is married and has two children.

He graduated from Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang, Korea, in the Faculty of Linguistics (1975–1979).

Diplomatic career

Xhani’s professional career included the following appointments:

• September 2021: Retired.
• April 2018 – September 2021: Charge d’Affairs a.i. (Head of Mission), Albanian Embassy, Doha, Qatar.
• July 2016 – February 2018: Director, Department of America, Pacific, Asia and Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• April 2011 – February 2016: Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the People’s Republic of China (Resident); Non-Resident Ambassador to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and People’s Republic of Bangladesh (designated).
• February 2006 – April 2011: Adviser and Chief of Protocol of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania.
• April 2000 – January 2006: Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the People’s Republic of China (Resident); Non-Resident Ambassador to Australia, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Japan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
• October 1998 – March 2000: Head of Afro-Asia Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• November 1997 – September 1998: Charge d’Affairs a.i., Albanian Embassy, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• September 1996 – December 1996: Charge d’Affairs a.i., Albanian Embassy, Zagreb, Croatia.
• May 1995 – August 1996: First Secretary, Albanian Embassy, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• 1992: Acting Director, Protocol Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• 1989: Deputy Director, Protocol Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• August 1983 – October 1989: Appointed to the Albanian Embassy in Pyongyang, DPR of Korea as Attaché, later promoted to Third Secretary and Second Secretary, while also handling economic and trade relations.
• May 1983: Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• 1980 – 1982: Officer, Shkodra City Customs Office.

Languages

Xhani speaks English and Korean.