TIRANA, August 26/ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama praised today Luxembourg’s support in the opening of EU membership negotiations of Albania and North Macedonia with the European Union.
In a joint press conference after the meeting with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, PM Rama assessed that, “Luxembourg has been among the most vocal supporters of the opening of negotiations.”
“PM Bettel is a precious friend not because of the nice words that the occasion requires, but because Luxembourg and the Prime Minister personally have been among the most vocal supporters of Albania and North Macedonia for the opening of negotiations for membership”, Rama said.
Rama assessed that, “In all instances, PM Bettel has been our lawyer even when we were not present”.
“I am extremely pleased that this visit coincides with a special year in the history of our relations with Luxembourg, 100 years since Luxembourg recognized the Albanian state in 1922,” added Rama.
“Today, we discussed what comes next, as we have finally removed the opening of negotiations from the discussion agenda. We are already in the process of negotiations, we have talked about the conflict and we share the same stance regarding Russian aggression and the necessity to support Ukraine to the end in its just struggle for liberation,” said PM Rama.
Speaking about the bilateral meeting, Rama said that, “We talked about continuation of the process of political rapprochement between the EU and the countries that are negotiating to join the EU”.
Regarding bilateral relations, Rama said that Luxembourg is a very small country in size, but with a very heavy weight.
“Just like gold, small but of great value. We would like to have more interest and activity from Luxembourg companies here, so on the return visit to Luxembourg; the Prime Minister has proposed to organize a meeting with the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. Companies from Luxembourg are starting to show interest in the region. There are some who have settled in neighboring countries, so it is very important that we invite them, trying to overcome, through the demonstration of real facts, the barrier of perception that usually prevents others from coming to Albania, where they have not been never before”, said Rama.
The prime minister added that there is a very respected Albanian community in Luxembourg and PM Bettel speaks with admiration for the Albanians who live in his country.
“I want to thank the prime minister for his special interest in the region. It is very important to understand that Luxembourg at the EU table is an important voice and interest in the region, the effort to promote regional cooperation, the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, to promote the improvement of the climate in Bosnia, the effort to encouraging a more stable political process in Montenegro, are part of the interest agenda of Luxembourg and Prime Minister Xavier Bettel”, added Rama.
In conclusion, Rama thanked Bettel for everything he has done in support of Albania and for his special role in the process of persuading all other EU actors to finally give approval for the opening of negotiations for membership.
“I really consider this a joint achievement with all those who helped us in addition to doing our homework and overcoming the barrier of problems within the EU itself”, said Rama./p.s./
