Afterwards they were taken to the hotel structures in Durrës. The Afghan citizens were received by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhaçka, the US Ambassador Yuri Kim, senior officials of the Armed Forces and the State Police.

The first plane from Kabul touched down at the military runway of Rinas Airport, at 3.20 am.

121 Afghan citizens were received at the makeshift reception center set up in the military zone thanks to the cooperation of the Armed Forces and the State Police. The makeshift reception centre was inspected by Minister Xhaçka, who highlight the contribution of the Armed Forces, State Police, Border Police as well as doctors and nurses.

“It’s really an overwhelming moment. These days have been really demanding, with a lot of work to coordinate a humanitarian operation in record time. “But above all, these have been very difficult days, with a lot of concern for the fate of the Afghan citizens that we are awaiting today because the security situation in Kabul has deteriorated a lot,” Xhaçka said.

“Unfortunately, the hideous attacks that took place today, the tragic death of over 60 civilians and the troops of our American partners explains our worries and all partners. “It was precisely the fear of such attacks that pushed us to do our best for these citizens to come to Albania as soon as possible, for these citizens to come to safety and far from danger and fear for life,” she continued.

“Day after day, we had to face delays, new difficulties, new impediments as a result of the security situation. That is why today I am so relieved that finally the first plane managed to land in our airport bringing here the first contingent of Afghans, men, women, children. It is truly an overwhelming moment because every man, every woman, every child you see here today is a life saved from the horrors of war and a regime that sees them as adversaries to be killed, to be persecuted.

I feel really proud today, and every Albanian citizen should feel really proud today, that once again, as we have done in many cases in our history, Albanians are showing the true spirit of this people, solidarity, hospitality, generosity.

And when you see such a show of solidarity, when you see how Albania, which is not a rich country, which is not a country with great material or logistical opportunities, realizes that it is not a coincidence that in Albania there were more Jews after than before the war, or that Albanians despite economic conditions only 2 years after the 1997 turmoil, managed to shelter half a million Kosovan brothers and sisters who were forced to flee their homes as a result of war and crimes of another terrorist regime,” said Xhaçka.
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