TIRANA, June 13/ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama stated today that Albania’s membership in the Union of EU Civil Protection Mechanism is an important step.
During a conference with the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, Rama reminded that, “Lenarčič was one of the first to arrive in Albania in the dramatic moments immediately after the earthquake”.
“Today, the Commissioner has returned to Albania, but this time I believe with the very good news that has to do with Albania’s membership in the Union of EU Civil Protection Mechanism”, said Rama.
“It is an important step, which we can actually take based on the reforms we have made in order to transform the National Agency of Civil Emergencies, and also, based on the work we have done to continuously increase logistics, operational and professional capacity of this agency”, stressed Rama.
“The reform of the civil protection system is underway at the national level and of course coordinated and in line with the European level. There are several cases when the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has provided Albania with. The earthquake was an extremely serious moment in this support. But, what followed with the pandemic, again it was the support of this Civil Protection Union that eased our wounds and facilitated our confrontation with the invisible enemy”, underlined Rama.
“On the other hand, thanks to the direct assistance of the Commissioner, we have received assistance from this mechanism in dealing with heavy fires last year when aircraft used by countries such as the Netherlands or the Czech Republic belonged to this mechanism,” Rama added. .
Rama stressed that, “Europe has set up this mechanism and is strengthening it in view of the necessity to face together climate change and the consequences of climate change in our environment, the environment of every country, the environment of Europe,” Rama added.
“It’s the EU Civil Protection Mechanism that is at the forefront of trying to secure as much support as possible for Ukraine. Everything that is not weapons, from food, to ambulances, from medicines, to fuel assistance and others, is covered by this mechanism”, said Rama.
“Albania’s membership in this European Union of Civil Protection is a very significant step, but it is also a great relief for us given the ongoing needs we have . However, it is not just a matter of receiving, but it is also a matter of giving. It is not only about benefiting from the contribution of others, but also about giving our contribution, no matter how modest in this mechanism “, stressed Rama.
Rama then handed over to Commissioner Lenarčič the letter of interest for Albania’s membership in this Union. /j.p/p.s./
