TIRANA, Dec 5 /ATA/-By Maela Marini/ Prime Minister Edi Rama appreciated the contribution of the American diplomat in Tirana, Christopher Hill, referring to him as “the most knowledgeable American ambassador on the Balkans, as well as the most skilled in engaging with the people of the region.
During the presentation of the book “In Service Far from Home”, Rama praised the figure of Hill, who, according to him, “is perhaps the only American diplomat who has served as ambassador in this region and does not understand the Balkans from a distance, but understands it from within.”
“He has experienced the Balkans from every perspective. He has essentially covered its entire map, yet, strangely, he has never sought to make a loud statement and impress upon others, or appear in photographs from mountain summits or the shores of the region’s seas,” said Rama.
The Prime Minister recalled that the first time he heard about Chris Hill was when he was informed that Hill had sent Fatos Nano to prison.
“It was a remarkable way to make an impression, arriving in Albania, not yet involved in any reforms or transformations, but simply sending someone to prison and then leaving,” said Rama.
However, according to him, “he has always been present as a master of whispering.”
“I can’t say what he whispered to the prime ministers and presidents of the countries he visited, but what I do know for sure is that when I met him for the first time, he made a strong impression on me. First, he didn’t come across as someone who would send opposition figures to prison, and second, I was impressed by the way he listened. This is not a typical trait of American ambassadors. They are very good at speaking and offering lectures, but they are not particularly good at their listening skills,” said Rama.
Rama quoted Arbën Xhaferri as saying “the people of the Balkans are afflicted by an ethno-political strabismus, which leads them to perceive one another in a distorted manner.”
“I often wonder how someone can take on the role of being the most important person in a country, because there’s no doubt that the most important figure in this country has always been the American ambassador. Being the American ambassador to Albania is the second-best job for an American, after being president, because here, you’re treated like a god,” said Rama.
He stated that “the answer lies in his character and the way Chris approaches this role with a great deal of detachment, listening carefully, and speaking in a very subdued tone.”
Discussing the region, Rama remarked, “The Balkans continues to produce more history than can be digested.”
“Fortunately, not as much collectively, but certainly in the same way within our individual countries. Thankfully, by not producing so much together, we are less prone to conflicts these days, and this is a significant achievement. However, as long as we keep producing so much within our own countries, we have not yet reached the level of maturity needed to make that leap,” said Rama.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the American diplomat’s lasting influence, noting that anyone who had the opportunity to work with him would remember him, having made a strong impression through both cooperation and confrontation.
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