The Faculty of Social Sciences at Eötvös Loránd University recently had the honor of hosting H.E. Delfin Pllana, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Hungary.
Ambassador Delfin Pllana and his assistant, Mr. Donat Jusufi was welcomed by key university representatives: Zoltán Gábor Szűcs-Zágoni, Vice Dean for International Affairs; Professor Andrew Ryder, Director of the Institute of Political and International Studies; and Krisztina Mosdóczy, Head of the Dean’s Office.
After the reception, Ambassador Delfin Pllana gave a lecture to university students and lecturers interested in the Western Balkan region. In his presentation, he introduced the recent history of Kosovo, and he discussed the country's achievements, as well as current challenges.
The ambassador traced Kosovo’s journey from the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the devastation of war to its present-day transformation. Using striking photographs, he contrasted the ruins of 1999 with the vibrant, modern cities that now greet visitors—a testament to the country’s remarkable recovery and progress.
Delfin Pllana highlighted the role of the UN mission between 1999 and 2008 in establishing institutions and services that continue to function smoothly to this day, as well as in maintaining peace and stability. Kosovo, considered highly multicultural, declared its independence in 2008 and has since sought official recognition from as many countries as possible, as well as membership in international organizations (e.g., NATO, EU).
The lecture also touched on interesting topics such as Dua Lipa’s Kosovan roots, the country’s sporting successes through Majlinda Kelmendi in women’s judo, and the “Manifesta 14” contemporary art biennale, held in Pristina in 2022. Kosovo is working to ensure that people get to know its post-war image, and that the country attracts tourists as well as investors, Pllana emphasized.
The ambassador – who holds degrees in International Relations and Political Science and is currently pursuing doctoral studies—also spoke gladly about the cultural and educational relations between Kosovo and Hungary, highlighting that students from Kosovo study at Eötvös Loránd University, including at the Faculty of Social Sciences, with Stipendium Hungaricum scholarships.
At the end of the lecture, students and lecturers asked numerous questions. During the discussion moderated by Byanca Szabó Peredo—an International Relations student at ELTE Faculty of Social Sciences—,topics such as the challenges of Kosovo’s legal recognition and its relationship with Serbia were also discussed.
The engaging session with Ambassador Delfin Pllana underscored the Faculty’s commitment to equipping students with global perspectives and area-specific knowledge. The event featured an informal yet insightful presentation followed by a lively Q&A, offering students a rare opportunity to interact directly with an experienced diplomat. Professors from the International Relations BA and MA programs praised the initiative and expressed hope that Ambassador Pllana will return as a guest expert for future academic events.