Prime Minister Edi Rama is at the Delphi Economic Forum, where he held a conversation with Alexis Papahelas, editor-in-chief of the Greek newspaper ‘Kathimerini’.
In his speech, Rama emphasized that the Western Balkans is going through the best period of its history and that the region has never been closer to the European Union.
“The Western Balkans is at its best. We have never been closer to the EU than today. We are not forgotten. We are in the best time we have ever lived,” said Rama, underlining that the European Union is more aware than ever of the importance of the region in the geopolitical landscape.
Speaking about the geopolitical challenges, Rama said that, “When you’re a country as small as Albania, on the one hand you have to deal with what you have to, but on the other hand you’re relaxed because you can’t change anything, for better or worse. We are members of NATO, but it’s not like we put much there. When NATO does something good, like the liberation of Kosovo, we say we have done a great thing. When NATO does something bad, like leaving Afghanistan, we say it’s their fault. Because the big ones get the blame, the little ones can get some credit.“
Rama recalled that only in 2014, in Berlin, the six leaders of the Western Balkans sat around the same table for the first time.
“Over the last decade it has become normal, but it was not normal before that we talked and cooperated with each other,” he said, adding that this shows that the region is not forgotten..
Asked about his request to US President Donald Trump regarding the Hague Tribunal and the process against former KLA leaders, Rama said:
“I had the privilege of being with President Trump on the day of the establishment of the Peace Council, and I asked him something about the court of justice, based on a fantasy report from the Russians, from Vladimir Putin. The court rose to turn this fantasy process against the leaders and imprisoned them without a formal charge. Then the whole process turned into something else entirely. There was no organ trafficking and they are accused of leading the war against the invaders and collaborating with NATO. I told Trump he needs to step in.”
The Prime Minister was also asked about the departure of about 500 thousand Albanians during his administration.
“It’s not an exact number, but yes, Albanians have continued to leave and I think it’s normal for a country that has spent 50 years of complete isolationRama said.
He added that Albania is experiencing significant economic growth, with an increase in gross domestic product, foreign investments and a new record in the number of tourists.
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