TIRANA, November 6/ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted today the historical, cultural and emotional links between Albania and Italy.
During a joint press conference with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni in Rome, Rama said that, “Albania is not an EU country, but it is E, i.e. we are in Europe, we are a European country and we just miss the U in the front. But, in the meantime, this does not prevent us from being and seeing the world as Europeans”.
Rama emphasized that, “I don’t believe that we will be able in the coming years to pay back the debt we owe to Italy, the Italian people and the institutions of Italy for what they have done for us from the first day we arrived in this side of the seashore looking for support”.
But anyway, added the head of the government, “As I have said on other occasions, if Italy calls, then Albania answers”.
“I cannot and do not want to judge the merits of politics in relation to other decisions and other institutions, but it is up to us to respond; to be always present, to be available for help and to provide assistance. And in this case, it means to help and to manage with very little a situation that is difficult for Italy”, said Rama.
“As a matter of fact, geographical position has turned into what is called a curse for Italy, because when you enter Italy, you hear that you have entered Europe and the EU. But, when it comes to managing these entries like the EU, we are well-aware how things develop. And on top of that, of course, we don’t have the strength and the capacity to be the solution, but I think we have the duty, the commitment, the obligation and a capacity to provide help”, said Rama.
Then, added Rama, “This cooperation protocol on migration is the product of a long discussion to do well. It is not a way out, a solution for something that we do because we have to do it, at all costs, but we believe in this”.
After the press conference, PM Rama and PM of Italy Meloni signed a protocol between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania to strengthen cooperation in the field of migration./p.s./
