TIRANA, Feb 26 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama stated on Wednesday from Moscow that as far as relations with Russia are concerned, it’s no secret that our relations are at an all time low. It needs to be treated because honestly I think Russia is not a foe of anyone we have aligned ourselves with, sometimes it is a menacing rival but not an enemy.
At the joint news conference with Foreign Minister of Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, PM Rama said: Therefore there are a number of things we can look at without pretending we can change them to the core and without pretending Russia may change its essential things.
“We are clear at this point, Russia is clear at this point. Of course, we will do our best,” Rama said.
Foreign Minister of Russian Federation Lavrov said: We will foster the relations as intensively as needed, however it is up to the Albanian side to respond to these questions.
Rama mentioned the obligations of Albania towards NATO and the US, as their allies.
“ We are well aware of Albania’s goal to join the EU and understand that it is a political reality,” Lavrov said.
“Yet, there are multiple examples and I hope Albania could be one of those where obligations are an impediment to promotion of relations even to the benefit of economy, trade, by establishing contacts in humanitarian and cultural areas and so on and so forth. There is no reason whatsoever to prevent the relations from developing,” Lavrov said.
PM Rama said he would add to CV that fact that he had corrected Mr. Lavrov, saying: It is not a matter of obligations, it is a matter of choice, we are not in alignment with our big allies in NATO and EU just because we feel compelled to do so, we have chosen to follow this path. It is our choice and we are proud to belong to this big family.”
“As far as relations with Russia are concerned, it is no secret, it is a fact that our relations are at an all time low. Before coming here, I was told by the Russian ambassador that Albania is the only country in the world that has not had any phone call with Moscow for so long. I guess since the passing of Stalin for we disassociated with you to stick to his ideology,” Rama said.
‘This implies everything, let alone visits and meetings,” Rama said.
Minister Lavrov said: “When it comes to phone calls, probably what you mentioned reflects the real thing. In terms of personal meetings, in 2004, as soon as I was appointed Prime Minister, I had a meeting in Tirana and then signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation with the then Foreign Minister, it was not ratified for the Albanian party put this document aside, but it exists and we can make it effective so that we have clear principles of our relationship. However we will communicate throughout the year over the phone and discuss OSCE issues, we are ready for this.”
In reply to minister Lavrov, Rama said that representatives of both countries have not had any phone calls since the time of Stalin, but they will be made as we will stay in touch with you.
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